Former Barton workers open thrift shop in Minden

Going back and forth while trying to choose a name for her new thrift store in Minden, owner Cheryl Wright said she and one of her volunteers used the word "flip flop" to describe their indecisiveness.

Ironically, they realized the phrase itself had a nice sound to it, especially when associated with recycled clothing. Thus Flip Flop Thrift & Exchange was born.

"I talked to the volunteers, and they were ready to come on board," Wright said. "Most of them feel very passionate about helping the community and the cause: affordable shopping."

Just a few months ago, Wright was managing the Barton Hospice Thrift Store in the old mercantile building in Minden with the same group of volunteers. Unfortunately, the shop had to close its doors in April.

"We all talked about it and decided that too many people in the community were upset about it closing," Wright said.

With 16 years of experience operating thrift stores, and with the support of her husband, Jack Henry Wright, the Minden resident felt strongly about opening another store. Luckily, she was able to find a 2,200-square-foot suite literally the next door down from the Barton store, in the same historic building.

"This is only two weeks worth of inventory," Wright said. "The support from the community has been amazing."

She was pointing to her main showroom already replete with furniture, clothing, books and accessories.

"That's not taking into account what we gave to MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and Big Brothers Big Sisters," she said. "Twice a week they come and take what we can't use."

Wright said business has been picking up.

"The day before yesterday, we had 17 people in here at one point," she said.

Wright believes that thrift stores provide more than affordable shopping: they help the planet by recycling materials.

"It really bothers me seeing the immense amount of waste," she said. "What we don't use, we give to people in the community to use, rather than seeing it go into the landfills."

On the supply side of things, Wright acknowledged the tough economy, but she said Carson Valley residents always find a way to donate.

"What amazes me about this community is that even though a lot of people can't afford to retail shop, those people who have money and can afford to shop are so giving," she said. "I thought because of the recession donations would be way down, but we seem to be doing fine."

Flip Flop Thrift has a section for consignment, and Wright would like to organize an exchange program in the future, in which suppliers would get cash or store credit.

"Anything over and above expenses goes to local charities that the volunteers all decided on," she said.

Those charities include Austin's House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Douglas County Animal Welfare Group, the Carson Valley Community Food Closet, and the Haugen & Keck Transition Training Program, among others.

"We're trying really hard to invest back into this community," Wright said.

With eight volunteers and workers from the Haugen & Keck program, Wright hopes to secure nonprofit status in the next year or so.

"Everyone knows us here; we're already established," she said. "But we're still seeing a lot of new people, a lot of young people who come in and love the store."

Flip Flop Thrift & Exchange is located at 1609 Highway 395, Suite B. Summer business hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.

For more information, call 392-0371.