28 Feb News from Experienced Goods March 2022

By Jennie Reichman

Something I have always wanted to write in an article: “Breaking News!!” It makes me feel like a real journalist, with eyes and ears open to intriguing stories and exciting, important events. So here goes: 

Breaking News!! Experienced Goods, our much loved and long-lived thrift store, is moving! After 15 very productive and happy years in our present location at 77 Flat St., we are moving the store to 80 Flat St., otherwise known as the C. F. Church Building. Many of you are familiar with this location, as it is where we have been taking donations since the spring of 2019. It has proven to be an incredible asset to our business, allowing us to take in and process donations without infringing on the operation of the retail store, creating a much more efficient and enjoyable work and shopping environment. It has also been a great way to navigate all the safety issues of COVID-19, allowing donors to stay with their cars as we take in their donations, masked and social distancing as needed. The only challenge has been transporting processed product from the donation site to the store. Even though it is only half a block away, loading up our pickup truck and transporting heavy totes filled with clothing, housewares, linens, books and small pieces of furniture every morning has added a whole new aspect to the jobs of our more muscle-y co-workers. It has also meant that each of us working in the retail store spends at least one workday at the donation site sorting donations and getting them ready for sale. In short, we have been a bit divided as a staff, and although we have all risen to the challenge and learned to plan and communicate well to compensate, the opportunity to all be working under one roof again is something we are really looking forward to. 

As to the new location, it’s fantastic! Donors have already told us how much easier and more streamlined the donation process is for them, and the fact that they can park their cars in a parking lot and not an alleyway has made a huge difference. Customers will also be able to park in the parking lot, and the store will still be within easy walking distance of Main Street and downtown Brattleboro. The retail store will be located in the space now occupied by the Winter Farmers’ Market, a large, open space, very airy and light, with about the same square footage as our present location. As a staff, we are very excited about the new donation and processing space, which will be just next door to the store with arched passageways between the two. We also will have the opportunity to improve our respective work areas, constructing and organizing them to make our jobs easier and more ergonomic. The best part will be being able to see each other every day and work as a unified team again. 

The years we have spent at 77 Flat Street have seen Experienced Goods grow and evolve in remarkable ways, and the location has been instrumental in that growth. We want to thank the Town Of Brattleboro for being such a wonderful landlord, and especially for its support and generosity during the pandemic. We are able to create this new version of Experienced Goods because of the longevity and security of our present location. 

So when will this thrilling new store be open for business? Remodeling and construction are still dependent upon the progress of the pandemic, so no exact date is available yet. We are hoping for late spring or early summer, and will keep everyone posted as things become more clear. As always, we are so grateful for the support of our donors and shoppers. You are why we exist and continue to thrive, and we hope you will be as excited about our new store as we are!