(Charleston, W.Va.) – The YWCA of Charleston is expanding its Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store, while choosing to close the store’s in-house coffee shop, Perkin’ Up – both located at 1598 Lee Street East on Charleston’s East End. The decision was made after the YWCA Board of Directors reviewed a comprehensive business analysis of both stores, conducted over the past 12 months by a University of Charleston Executive MBA (EMBA) class.
The EMBA class, led by Professor Deepay Mukerjee, examined and analyzed financial statements, industry trends, customer surveys, organizational records, and much more before making the recommendation that the YWCA expand valuable clothing floor space and close the coffee shop.
“My EMBA students spent an enormous amount of time on this capstone project,” stated Mukerjee. “Based on their extensive analysis, diligent research, impressive reasoning, and emphasis on strategic decision making, I agree that their conclusions and recommendations are right on target.”
Perkin’ Up Coffee Shop’s last official day of operation will be Saturday, December 12, after which the YWCA will immediately begin efforts to remodel the space to accommodate Past & Present’s growing inventory of gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. As a gesture of gratuity to its loyal customers, the store will continue to keep a fresh pot of coffee on hand for anyone in need of a cup of joe.
“The decision to expand Past & Present and close Perkin’ Up is imperative for the YWCA of Charleston to reinforce our philosophy of self-sufficiency and to practice what we preach,” stated YWCA Board of Directors President Elizabeth Pellegrin. “In the same way that we help our clients become self-sufficient through education, temporary housing, counseling and much more, we help our programs be more self-reliant by generating crucial income through successful retail operations.”
The two stores were established in 2000 to generate revenue for the YWCA’s adjacent transitional housing program – the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes for Battered and Homeless Women and Children. On a daily basis, shoppers can find affordable, unique and quality items for the whole family at Past & Present. On the first Friday and Saturday of each month, customers from across the Kanawha Valley flock to the store’s basement sale, where they snag great buys for just $3 a bag. Past & Present also serves as a place where participants from all YWCA programs – including a homeless shelter and domestic violence shelter – can obtain free clothing through an organization-wide voucher program. The voucher program is also utilized by the YWCA Sojourner’s Education/Job Readiness Center to provide homeless individuals with professional clothing for jobs and job interviews.
Past & Present was recently selected for the “2008 Best of Charleston” Award in the Thrift Shops category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). This award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country that have achieved exceptional marketing success and that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
“Our expansion will give us valuable new floor space for quality clothing items,” stated YWCA Executive Director Debby Weinstein. “We thank everyone for the generous donations that make this operation possible – and we encourage you to keep them coming so we can continue assisting women and children in need within our community.”
During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, Past & Present’s revenues were up more than $4,000 from the previous year. Furthermore, the number of people utilizing the YWCA clothing voucher program has more than doubled in recent months. During the past three months, 140 adult and 40 child vouchers have been redeemed for a total of $5,015 in merchandise.
According to YWCA spokesperson Laura Jordan, this transition will not cut any jobs, although Past & Present store hours will most likely change to accommodate clothing shoppers. The YWCA of Charleston also operates 2nd Seating Gently Used Furniture Store (also on Charleston’s East End) to help offset operating costs of the YWCA’s elder abuse initiative, the YWCA Shanklin Center. Donations to both stores are tax-deductible.
# # #
The YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes are ten transitional housing apartments for battered and homeless women and children who are moving toward complete independence. This innovative support program offers up to 18 months of housing to residents who contribute one-third of their income to help offset costs and also to encourage financial responsibility. The program was launched in 2000 and was the first of its kind in the Kanawha Valley.