Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Economy claims two Las Vegas area thrift stores

Two thrift stores run by Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada have fallen victim to the struggling economy.

The charity has permanently closed its store at 3430 E. Tropicana Ave., near Pecos Road. Its store at 1767 N. Rancho Drive has been closed temporarily, a spokeswoman said today.

The two stores are the only ones the charity operates in the valley.

“It’s a result of the economy,” said Sharon Mann, the charity’s director of community relations. “We’re just taking a few weeks to re-evaluate … It’s strictly an economic decision right now.”

Mann said donations to the charity have remained fairly consistent despite the economic slump, but the costs of running the stores have recently increased.

Because selling used items yields low profits, in this economy, the cost of doing business became too high to maintain the storefronts, she said.

The charity has plans to reopen the Rancho Drive store later this summer, but Mann said it could reopen as a different type of second-hand store – perhaps one specializing in furniture.

Catholic Charities has been operating in Southern Nevada in 1941 and has operated thrift stores in the valley since 1961, Mann said. In addition to the thrift stores, donations are used to support other programs run by the charity, such as furnishing apartments for the needy, she said.

Although the thrift stores have been shuttered, the charity still is still seeking donations. Individuals wishing to donate to the charity can call 387-2222 to schedule a free pickup. Small items can be dropped off at the administrative offices, 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

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