For the past 18 years, the Hope Hospice Shoppe, located at Main and Angela streets, has sold used clothing, books and other knick-knacks as a way to raise funds for Hope Hospice, an organization that provides quality end-of-life care and grief support for families. Those who enjoy shopping and browsing only have a few weeks left because the store will be closing its doors forever in mid-July.
“Everyone who comes in is so sad to see us going,” said Holly Clark, the store’s manager. “A lot of these people have been regular customers.”
The shop has to be out of its space by July 31, so the store will most likely close by the middle of July, giving staff and volunteers time to clean out any merchandise that is left, Clark said. While the shop has given Hope Hospice visibility over the years, the store rarely brings in a profit and can be difficult to run because it relies solely on volunteers. The store needs about 35 volunteers to run it well, but there are usually only 10-12 volunteers available, Clark said.
“They do everything,” Clark said of the volunteers. “When merchandise comes in, they sort and price it and steam and clean them, getting them ready to go out on the floor. They also do the merchandising, displays and the selling. They do it all.”
“It’s very sad to see it go,” said store volunteer Janet Fourcade of Pleasanton. “I love the camaraderie between people here. Many people come in to see the gals at the shop.”
In its final days, the store has seen more people coming in, mostly to take advantage of the sales going on. The store is offering 50 percent off all merchandise, including clothes, books, household items and furniture.
“Hospice is a good organization and an incredible charity, but I would shop here because they have a lot of nice things at a good value,” said Helene O’Cain of Dublin. O’Cain, who is a nurse, said she’s shopped at the store for nine years.
Many say the store’s closure is actually a good thing for Hospice, showing it is focusing its fundraising efforts on areas that will yield more funds and increase its services. But still, those who either volunteered or shopped in the store will miss it when it’s gone.
“It was a Main Street staple,” Fourcade said. “A lot of people will be affected when it’s gone.”
