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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-11-10, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016. Brussels 5R's community shop celebrates 25 years From the beginning Sharon Freeman, seen here at the store, was one of the original 5R's board members when the community thrift store was founded 25 years ago. She still volunteers her time working at the store, as do many of the original members, as well as new members who have come on in recent years. (Denny Scott photo) By Betty Graber -Watson In any anniversary book, 25 years of togetherness is celebrated with silver. Much to the surprise of certain folks, on Nov. 9 of this year, the 5R's Community Thrift Shop celebrated 25 years of doing business on the main street of Brussels. Perhaps the most surprised would be the original board members — Linda Garland, Betty Graber, Caroline Kernaghan, Sharon Freeman, MaryLou Ruttan, Nancy MacDonald Exel and Julie Harrison. It was 1991 and the economy was not good; the financial and mental well-being of our rural community was shaky. But dreamers we were! We knew that Brussels needed a spot to gather and chat, a place to get information when needed, a depot for recycling and a local store with good prices. We gathered and chatted, consulted and worked. The Mitchells, who owned the Brussels 5 cents to $1 store were planning a well-deserved retirement and liked our idea; Dave and Jeanette Boynton had just sold the former CIL and lo and behold, the Mitchells sold the store to the Boyntons and gosh, a newly -incorporated 5R's Board was ready to sign a lease — 5R's was real. Wendy Martin was our first 5R's manager and she set the mood for ideas to be put into action. Clear volunteer duties were posted, jobs assigned, hours scheduled and the store opened with Wendy and her crew of volunteers. We like to think that perhaps we helped Wendy a little as she honed her people skills at the 5R's while setting future goals on humanitarian work. Wendy has spent many years in Laos as country program administrator with Mennonite Central Committee. Oh yes, and before the store A new home The Brussels 5R's Community Thrift Shop, based on the five Rs of reduce, reuse, recycle, reclaim and rejoice, now has a new home on the east side of the village's main street beside The Citizen's Brussels office. This year the shop celebrates 25 years in business. (Denny Scott photo) opened, we gutted the former dime store, recycled many partial cans of paint donated by the community, mixed it together in a large container, and from borrowed scaffolds, painted the entire store, ceiling included, a very nice grey. We asked for donations, sorted them, priced them and opened the 5R's on a fine November Saturday. The number of dreamers grew and the years slipped away. Change is part of life, and so when the Boyntons sold the store, we moved down the street to the former Royal Bank with Susan and Mike Alexander as our initial landlords at that location. The new space worked well for several years until a change was needed. Just across the street was a new spot and the Dauphins offered a deal we couldn't refuse. So we moved across the street to a bigger and brighter space with added traffic from the adjoining store. All was well with the 5R's business until the Dauphins knew it was time to expand their Bulk and Bargain enterprise and our lease was up. It was hard to be sad when we knew that any business expansion was good for Brussels. So with mixed feelings it was time to rethink this wee dream that had lasted longer than we ever thought. Maybe it was time to close our doors; this moving an entire store was getting bothersome and hard on our volunteers, many now past the time we were capable of lifting and lugging. After over 20 years, the enthusiasm was not as high. Once again though we were taught not to doubt. Once again, ask and you will receive. Susan Alexander filled her role as Board broker and found us a new landlord and store. Doug and Corrie Sholdice bought the old butcher shop with the 5R's in mind and gave us a long-term lease. Yippee! We are blessed. Stories abound of miracles large and small happening each and every year, in and for the 5R's. Volunteers appear when we need them the most — sometimes long term and regular, sometimes on a single project that needs doing and most definitely when we needed them for moving. Pictures from years past show many faces that have been and still are an important part of Brussels. Changes in these faces are evident in the pictures over the past quarter- century and many cause a smile. The photos show that several of our first volunteers are now dead, but each one left a good stamp on 5R's. With their attitude of service with a smile, they came for cutting rags, clerking, quilting, dusting, sorting or washing. Each duty was needed and made it possible that 5R's is still in existence. When we opened, this was a new thing, a community-based recycled goods store with the idea of the 5R's — reduce, reuse, recycle, reclaim and rejoice as the purpose. Our history is clear; our community has volunteered for the Board and the store in generous amounts of time over these 25 years. Goals, determination and hard work made it happen. Dreams do come true if you have the right people on your side. 5R's is a not-for-profit corporation, so keeping just ahead of expenses is our mandate. Most years we are able to do just that. Each year at the annual meeting, a new board is voted in to look after the corporate responsibilities and act as a guide and reference for our manager, currently our organized and energetic Patty VanderMeere. The dreams of 25 years ago are still alive and 5R's is open for all the same reasons from 1991. New projects have developed and changes occurred with the years, but the goal of 5R's remains. If you ask those original dreamers, they will smile and surely tell you, it is much better than our original dreams. ReLook Nook Ladies Wear Consignment Shop Get Your Look On! Quality Ladies Wear Sizes Sm - 3X, Jewelry, footwear, purses 6, and small furniture. Tailoring and Alterations, Dry Cleaning 519-606-4001 Consignments by appointment only Sea,. 14 Isaac St., Clinton n Tues. -Fri. 9:30 am - 5:30 pm & Sat.-4:00pm FREE 2016 Citizen Phone Books are available at our offices in Blyth and Brussels The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth 541 Turnberry St., Brussels The Citizen Check Recycling Tips on Page 5 • Medical Advances Study Report on Page 6 • World News Special Report on Page 11 #1 And We Still Try Harder! Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community -Owned Since 1985