26 Jun Experienced Goods in July

From Experienced Goods Thrift Shop
by Jennie Reichman

I saw a t-shirt in a catalog once that had two words on it: Do. Be. Under that it said, “Do-Be-Do-Be-Do-Be-Do! Frank Sinatra.” As the pinnacle of a Vermont summer approaches and, like the bears I wrote about last month, we emerge from varying states of hibernation, doing and being vie to take center stage in many of our lives. The easing of quarantine and lockdown restrictions gives the green light to a little more doing and a little less of the introspective, isolated being that has been standard fare for the last three months. It’s easy to feel inspired by the beautiful weather, blooming flowers, green trees, all the joys of this abundant time of year. It’s exciting to venture out into the world even to accomplish routine tasks.

Over the past couple of weeks I went to the dentist and had my teeth cleaned, called the plumber and finally had my downstairs toilet repaired, took my old, wheezing Subaru to the mechanic for an overall diagnostic and to find out why the check engine light has been on for years (Bad news, I need to think about buying another car). I’ve been doing things, taking care of business, reconnecting with places and activities I took for granted before because we were not living through a pandemic. I also put in my vegetable garden, which for me exists at the intersection of doing and being. Doing the hard, physical work of preparing the soil, planting and fertilizing everything, mulching, watering, weeding. But also walking down the rows and being with the thriving plants, spending time every day tending them and admiring them, something I never had the time or energy to do before. I am practicing being by taking in all the sensory stimulation on my morning run, sitting on my porch and knitting in the evenings and listening to the symphony of birdsong, trying to see how many I can distinguish.

As more and more businesses reopen in Brattleboro, Experienced Goods is also emerging from the time capsule of quarantine. We’ve been busy preparing the store to be a safer, healthier place for staff and customers, making changes that will allow us to meet pandemic safety protocols. Since people will be required to stand 6 feet apart, we have moved racks, displays and the cash register desk to allow for that. Everyone in the store will be asked to wear a mask and to use hand sanitizer (provided by us) when they enter the store. We will be allowing 25 people in the store at a time (including staff), so shoppers may have to wait briefly outside until other shoppers leave. Perhaps the biggest change is that we are no longer taking donations at the retail store, but rather at 80 Flat Street, the space next to where the Winter Farmers’ Market takes place. Donations are accepted on Tuesdays only, from 11 am to 3 pm. Hours of operation at the retail store will also be different: Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

We are doing the do, as Karen says, inching closer to the day when we will once again be raising money for Brattleboro Area Hospice and serving our community as everyone’s favorite thrift store. And as is so often the case in a time of crisis, a silver lining has emerged and an opportunity has presented itself. This is our chance to reinvent Experienced Goods in ways that not only will make donating and shopping safer, but will help the store to run more smoothly and reduce the stress on staff. Part of what has always made Experienced Goods unique is a slightly wild, ever-changing atmosphere, kind of like a three ring circus. It’s fun, and it’s never boring, but it can take a toll on those of us who keep all the balls in the air. And since there will be fewer of us doing the juggling and we will all be trying to stay six feet apart, we have been overhauling procedures and setting up the store to allow us to work more efficiently and smoothly. Granted, it will look and feel different, and all of us, staff, donors and shoppers, will be going through a period of adjustment. We may all have to be a little more patient with each other as we adapt. But here’s the good news: We are reopening. We are resilient and and flexible and excited to be coming back from this long period of uncertainty. It will be wonderful to see everyone again, even though we will be peering over the edge of a mask, and so good to once again be a part of the Brattleboro community!