Local not-for-profit community and family thrift store Home Treasures will be undergoing a rebranding this year, as well as looking at options to relocate into a larger space.
“It’s time to rebrand and refresh,” said Anya Switzer, a small business consultant who has been working with Treasures For Your Home Society (the society that owns and operates the store).
The store will have a grand reopening Feb. 8 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., revealing their new logo and featuring store discounts up to 75 per cent.
“I think there’s some misconceptions of who they are and what they’re doing.”
Since 2002, Home Treasures has been in operations, located at 10-118 1st Ave. West, the concept stemmed from a community need for used furniture and household goods, as identified and facilitated by Cochrane Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), the Cochrane Women’s Housing Committee and the Town of Cochrane.
“(Some) people still think it’s owned and operated by the Town of Cochrane or that it has some attachment to the Town and that they aren’t independent — which they are,” explained Switzer.
In 2013, Home Treasures was able to give out approximately $43,500 back to the Cochrane community; this figures includes $10,000 given to the Red Cross to assist with flood relief.
In the last year, Home Treasures has helped the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area and individual clients referred to them for assistance from Cochrane FCSS.
The organization, which is heavily reliant on the goodwill of their many volunteers, will be paying more homage to these individuals through their new marketing and rebranding campaign.
Also on the agenda will be taking another step closer to finding a new space, as the used goods store has been busting at the seams for several years and continues to run into storage space obstacles.
One possibility may include sharing space with other local not-for-profits.
In early 2013, Suzanne Gaida, senior manager for community services for the town, facilitated a meeting with a number of local not-for-profits to discuss the possibility of streamlining services (setting up space for multiple operations under one roof).
“We just wanted them all at the table, as they’re all facing similar problems,” said Gaida, adding that the cost of commercial space in Cochrane poses a financial burden on not-for-profits, which typically run on tight operating budgets.
“Although nothing further came of these conversations (in 2013) we have continued to seek out opportunities on our own accord, with a lot of legwork and some very dedicated volunteers,” said Switzer.
“…It would be great to re-engage the conversation with other not-for-profits and perhaps spearhead a committee to bring these conversations to fruition.”
Corinne Burns, housing coordinator for Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO), echoed this sentiment.
“We have had discussions with Home Treasures about sharing space with Home Reno Heaven if the right opportunity presented itself,” said Burns; Home Reno Heaven is a (CSHO)-run store that sells recycled home renovation products and appliances, while generating revenue for CSHO affordable housing programs.
Burns added that a space large enough to incorporate some rental housing opportunities would be ideal.
