The ministry of Pacific Thrift Store in Sacramento continues! The store is accepting any items that you do not need and are in good condition. The store’s profits are directed towards ministry in Europe. A member of the PCSBA’s Information Department, Svetlana Iotko, visited the store and interviewed the staff.
S.I.: What is so special about this thrift store and why is it popular among a lot of people?
Zoya (Head cashier): First of all, the store presents a great opportunity to buy quality goods for much cheaper. Many people, and especially young refugees are trying to save money on everything, and this store is able to help them in this area. In addition, the quality of some goods like kitchenware is much better than in the other similar stores. Second, people like a wide selection of goods. In fact, some people are visiting the store a few times a week to check out new additions, and what’s on sale. Third, the customers know that when they are buying something from us, they are supporting a good ministry, and their money is going to help others.
S.I.: What kind of donations are you accepting?
Zoya: Our store has everything: furniture, electronics, kitchenware, clothing, children’s toys, and even musical instruments and collectable coins. In addition, there are a lot of goods that are used, but some are brand new. Some people bought something in the past and never ended up using for a long time and then decided to donate it to us; in some cases, people bring things as they are downsizing in the process of moving. There are different situations. Sometimes people bring things that were given to them as gifts but they are not in need of it, and so they just leave it by our doors: shoes, clothing, children’s toys, everyday items, picture frames, dishes, souvenir items… and much more.
S.I.: Are these donations tax-deductible?
Zoya: Yes, we have tax-deductible documentation that will be available to anyone who needs it to include in filling out their taxes. For example, if a person donates some furniture, it is beneficial to them to write off the value of the donated item as donation on their tax return. The same is true with new brand clothes. There are government regulations that determine the brackets and amounts of the donations that can be written off. The cost of the contribution is determined by the person who donates it.
S.I.: Remind us about how to find you.
Zoya: We are located in Sacramento at: 6101 Watt Ave, North Highlands, CA 95660. We are also accessible via Instagram, Market place, and Craigslist, and we update them regularly. Please visit these sites, and recommend them to your friends, perhaps you will see something you’ll like. Also, if you have something that you no longer need and don’t know what to do with it, bring it to us. If someone gave you something that you don’t want and are not able to return it, you can bring it to us.
S.I.: What do you normally do with things that don’t sell for a long time?
Zoya: This doesn’t happen very often. When we are receiving new inventory, we are putting it up to be sold at a full price, and then drop down the asking price to 50%, then another 75%. The longer the goods remains unsold, the cheaper it will be sold. For example, with clothing that doesn’t sell, we put it on the clothing racks and take it outside to be sold for $1 where it is usually sold very quickly. Every season we sort all the items and put up the things that are in season, and are giving more discounts on things that are out of season.
S.I.: Your store looks like a museum, especially as you pass by the picture frames, vintage vases, and antique statues.
Zoya: Indeed, you are on to something. You will be able to find goods from various countries: tea sets from Japan and China, vases from Africa, statues from Mexico, wedding dresses from Europe, etc… People are bringing antiques that can be put into museums, but people don’t have time for that so they bring them to us. There are appraisers of these items and they make special visits to the store in search of vintage items.
S.I.: What else makes your store unique?
Zoya: Well the main thing is that the store’s staff are Christians who are well-dressed and carry themselves very well, they are polite with the customers, and are always eager to help. The advantage that we also have is that our staff are Slavic, but everyone also speaks very well in English. People appreciate being treated well in our store. We cultivate a warm atmosphere and are always playing Christian music. Another benefit is that we also do deliveries. For example, if the customer wants to purchase a cough, table, display cabinet, or something large, we are also able to arrange for transportation. We also provide trade-in services which is primarily in the furniture area.
Please visit our store and check us out with your own eyes. The store is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sundays.
Visit our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/pacificthriftstore?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
