Rapid growth leads thrift store to new building

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Although the Le Mars Copper Coin Thrift Store has only been open for two years, it outgrew its first building in a matter of months.
 
Lorie Nussbaum, chair of the thrift store board, explained when the store opened in an existing storefront on Fifth Avenue it quickly ran out of space and needed to expand twice.
 
“We kept growing and growing and finally we decided we have to do something. When we couldn’t find a space, we talked about building,” she said. “We had some seed money from a donor to get us started and then of course we borrowed the rest.”
 
The ground was broken and concrete footings were poured a year ago for the building at 1130 12^th Street SW. Local contractors were hired for the project, which was a goal for the board.
 
Opening day for the new store was Nov. 4 after the Copper Coin closed for a week in order to allow time to move into the new building. Volunteers offered trailers and their labor to transfer all the merchandise out of the old building.
 
Customers were very anxious to see the new store on opening day.
 
“On the first day, the parking lot was full and people kept circling and circling because there weren’t parking spaces even though it’s (the parking lot) pretty big,” Nussbaum said. “At one point, there were 32 people in line waiting to check out. It was so busy the first day for the first couple of hours. It was a little overwhelming. People were patient and we appreciated that.”
 
Nussbaum pointed out that the previous building was somewhat smaller than the new structure and had several walls to work around for displaying merchandise. The new store has an open floor plan and numerous windows for the convenience of customers. 

“The way it’s set up, it seems like it’s 20 times bigger,” she said, adding that the store has received positive reviews from customers. “Our goal is to make it neat, clean, organized and easy to shop.”
 
Items for sale in the store include clothing, furniture, housewares, vintage items, shoes, children’s items, toys, crafts and collectables. Currently, many Christmas items are displayed and available for sale.
 
In the beginning
Nussbaum, former Gehlen Catholic School principal, said retired Father Bruce Lawler suggested the idea of opening a thrift store when he was pastor of Le Mars All Saints Parish and she was principal.
 
“We were at a school board meeting about five years ago and we were looking at different ways to raise money for the school to help with costs,” she said. “He said, ‘Has anyone ever considered a thrift store?’ I love thrift stores, but I was kind of busy as a principal.”
 
After she retired, she approached Father Lawler to see if he was still interested in exploring the possibility of a thrift store. He agreed and the former principal offered to start the research. 

“He said he had been in Storm Lake when they were doing the SOS (Support Our School) store there and that they started as a committee. He helped pick people and picked a great group. And so those people became our board of directors,” Nussbaum said.
 
The group visited the Storm Lake SOS Thrift Store and others for advice to determine how to establish a store in Le Mars to support Gehlen Catholic. Nussbaum said they are very grateful for the encouragement and assistance of the other thrift stores they visited.
 
The group turned to Scripture to name the new venture – Mark 12:41-44, the parable of the poor widow’s contribution of a few coins to the treasury, as she gave of her means and did not have any excess.The new Copper Coin building Then things continued to fall into place – a building was secured, volunteers recruited and donations came in for the new initiative.
 
“Our community has been so good with giving us donations that are wonderful. It wouldn’t work without them,” she said.
 
All Saints parishioners, those connected to Gehlen and others number about 70 volunteers who staff the store. There are no paid staff members. The Copper Coin is open noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
Supporting the community
Although the initial intent was to financially support the operation of Gehlen Catholic School, the Copper Coin has been able to support their community in other ways including offering grants to faith-based groups.
 
“Last December, we gave out grants. Faith-based entities could apply and we gave out four $250 grants to four different religious entities in town … and then we gave $30,000 to Gehlen in our first year that we were open,” Nussbaum explained.
 
The Copper Coin has contributed infant items to Mary’s Choice pregnancy and family resource center in Sioux City, items for Mission Honduras and donating yarn for volunteers who make hats for babies and cancer patients. The store receives many flower vases and they often “give those back to Hy-Vee and flower shops in town so they don’t have to repurchase them.”
 Donors can drop off clean, new or gently-used items at the store during open hours. Volunteers are always welcome at the store. Nussbaum said many work two-hour shifts and The Copper Coin is willing to work around volunteers’ schedules. 
Although two years ago, Nussbaum and the Copper Coin board may not have envisioned their future success, they are grateful to all who played a part in the store’s journey so far.
 
“It’s been amazing growth and I thank God it’s happening,” she said. “Lots of wonderful people made it happen. Hopefully, we’re doing God’s work.”