Operating a store that relies on and supports the community is the goal of Jeremy Parkins, owner of Heritage Thrift LLC.
Located at 70 S. Washington St., the thrift shop opened for business Saturday. Parkins' goal is to carry "high end" used items, including clothing, small pieces of furniture and other household goods.
The idea of opening the store came from his work at Tiffin Goodwill, where he was the assistant store manager.
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PHOTO BY CATHY WILLOUGHBY
Heritage Thrift owner Jeremy Parkins places garments on racks in preparation for Saturday’s opening.
He said he felt a need to keep more of the work and the benefits from the sales of used goods within the community.
"I felt something was lacking," Parkins said. "I wanted to give back to the community with a locally owned operation that was benefiting those locally."
He stressed that the store would be for-profit, yet would support the area's business climate, helping to enable the community to grow.
"We will hire from Tiffin and Seneca County," he added. "And the people who need us will reap the benefits."
Parkins plans on carrying "a little bit of everything."
"It will be comparable to Goodwill, and we will begin with donations," he said. "Eventually we will change to donations, auctions. I would compare it to a place like Plato's Closet, carrying higher quality, name-brand items. We will have that kind of quality, while beating Goodwill's prices."
For example, if jeans were priced at $5 at Goodwill, they will be $4 at Heritage Thrift, he said.
The merchandise that will first stock the store has been donated from people he knows or has worked with, and from those who heard of the business endeavor.
Parkins said donations will continue to be taken during regular store hours, which are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Starting out, he is being assisted with business operations by his fiancee, Misty Elchert, friends and other family members.
Plans are to hire others once business increases.
