What exactly is a community hub? A community hub isn’t just a building, it’s a place where individuals come together to learn, share and support each other. Community hubs help build stronger and more resilient communities. In a world that’s so fragmented, people need a place for connection and belonging. Interestingly, some thrift and consignment shops across the country have started to fulfill this need and are becoming community hubs. Sometimes on purpose and sometimes by accident. It’s happening to my shop too. Perhaps, if we understand a little better, we can make it happen with other businesses? Read on to learn more…
Become A Community Hub Through Charitable Works
My store gives a bunch of money to our local domestic violence prevention agency. We don’t, however, just write a check and move on. The shop has a community involvement approach to these efforts. We have dedicated a portion of our floor space to items we are selling for the benefit of this organization. Customers buy these items and all the profit goes to the DVRC of SC (Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County). My staff, especially my display-superstar, Michael, keeps the space organized and looking good, so it’s appealing to the charity-minded and the bargain shopper alike. People feel good about their purchases, they learn about domestic violence issues and, even a few times, ask for help. I feel like it’s just something you do when you live in a community. My customers seem to agree.
Become A Neighborhood Ambassador
My shop is a few miles from The University of Rhode Island (URI). URI is our neighbor. Because of this proximity, we meet a lot of URI parents at the store. They come in when kids visit the school for the first time, when they are moving in and over-and-over again during their time here. We get to know them and we often help them navigate the local community for themselves and for their kids. Yes, we are a consignment shop. But we have accidently become a community hub for our university neighbor. We couldn’t be happier about it.
Through Community Outreach Consignment Shops Can Become Community Hubs
I met a guy. His name is Frank and he is part of the Community Paramedic Program in my town. He visits elderly people in their homes to do blood work, check blood pressure and even perform EKGs. He visited my Mom at her house and then came to the shop to meet me. When he came by, Frank explained their programs and told me that one of the things they offer is onsite blood pressure clinics. So, you guessed it, I signed up to have one here at the shop. We created a temporary, private space for screening. And the customers that were checked that day got a coupon for 10% off at Consignments Ltd. Now that’s a community hub if I ever I heard of one. And a win-win.
If you’re still in the reading mood, check out some of my other blogs, like: Cell Phone Theft: What To Do Before This Happens To You and How to Signal for Help From Domestic Violence.
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