A Denver nonprofit is preparing to open a home-improvement thrift store, with the goal of employing veterans and funding its other programs.
Veterans Green Jobs’ Go Green Warehouse, which is expected to open May 21, will sell a variety of items, including appliances, cabinets, paints and cleaning supplies.
Veterans Green Jobs officials plan to offer installation services at the warehouse next year and open others in cities such as Colorado Springs and Washington, D.C.
“This is our flagship store,” said warehouse director Veronica Collin.
The 30,000-square-foot store is similar to other Denver-area home improvement thrift stores, such as Bud’s Warehouse in northeast Park Hill and Habitat For Humanity’s Home Improvement Outlets in the Baker neighborhood and Wheat Ridge.
Collin, who managed Habitat’s Denver outlet for three years, said she plans to keep prices low at the Go Green Warehouse, 2627 W. Sixth Ave., to keep items moving through.
She said she also wants to keep the inventory organized. But she said “a little bit messy is OK,” similar to a garage sale.
Collin said big-box stores have donated a number of items to the warehouse, such as floor model doors. Now, she said, the nonprofit is soliciting donations from residents.
“We’re looking for anything,” Collin said. “Anything you would need to remodel your home.”
There has been considerable competition for jobs at the warehouse. More than 200 people applied recently for a driver position. And about 250 applied for the role of assistant store manager, which went to Andy Garza.
Garza, 46, drove M1 Abrams tanks in the U.S. Army and completed his active service in 1989. He later bought into a golf store franchise, which closed in 2008. He worked a few places before landing the warehouse job.
Garza said he sympathizes with those who are completing their active service now in a sluggish economy.
“There were a whole bunch more doors open to me when I got out than they have now,” he said. “It’s a lot harder now because of the competition.”
Collin said the store will have four employees this year and is expected to grow to seven next year. In addition, she said, she plans to employ rotating teams for installation and deconstruction services.
Collin said the store could raise funds for the organization’s other programs at a time when fundraising has been a challenge because of the economy. She said: “The idea here is, let’s create our own income so that when we’re not getting those grants we can still keep going.”
Matthew Rodriguez: 303-954-2409 or mrodriguez@yourhub.com
A helping hand
Got something to give? Schedule a Go Green Warehouse pickup by calling 720-236-1340.
