Plaid Door bargains fund community programs

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Many of the clothes look as though they've barely been worn. Some bear brand names such as Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Structure, Abercrombie-Fitch, Jones New York, Ellen Tracy, Liz Claiborne, Levi, Talbots, Lee, Nautica and the Gap. |ret||ret||tab|

Other items have been donated by area retail clothing merchants. Many of these items still have a store tag on them, which allows shoppers to see just how much they're saving.|ret||ret||tab|

This is no ordinary thrift shop. In fact, The Plaid Door Resale Shop isn't a thrift store at all, according to Kelly Hart, a member of the Junior League of Springfield who, with her committee, oversees operations at the store. |ret||ret||tab|

"The Plaid Door is a first-class resale boutique," Hart said. "We sell men's, women's and children's clothing, and only top-quality items make it out to the sales floor."|ret||ret||tab|

Members of JLS donate approximately 70 percent of the clothing sold at The Plaid Door. In fact, the average JLS member donates more than $275 worth of clothing to The Plaid Door each year, Hart said. The remaining items are donated by other people who live in the community or by retail shops in the area. |ret||ret||tab|

The Plaid Door opened for business in 1976 shortly after JLS was officially chartered. JLS a nonprofit organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through effective action and leadership established the store specifically to help generate money for projects that would benefit Springfield and the surrounding communities. |ret||ret||tab|

Since 1976, The Plaid Door and JLS have contributed more than $2 million to community projects, according to the 2000-2001 annual JLS President's Report. Last year, The Plaid Door alone raised more than $105,000, and the shop's revenues for 2001 are projected to exceed $110,000. |ret||ret||tab|

Unlike a for-profit retail clothing store, overhead at The Plaid Door is low. All of the merchandise sold at the shop is donated. In addition, many of JLS's 500-plus members serve as volunteer employees, and each active member is required to work at least three, three-hour shifts at the shop each year. In fact, the only full-time paid employee at The Plaid Door is Rod Young, the shop's operations manager. |ret||ret||tab|

Like any business, however, The Plaid Door does experience peak periods, and sometimes the shop needs more help than JLS volunteers are able to provide. When this happens, Young calls on one of the shop's paid temporary employees to come in and help fill the gap.|ret||ret||tab|

A committee of 23 JLS volunteers, which Hart chairs with the help of her assistant chair Deb Scott, oversees all operations at the store including developing a marketing plan, establishing a volunteer work schedule and soliciting clothing donations from area businesses. |ret||ret||tab|

This committee is structured to help keep operations running smoothly at the shop by providing as much continuity in leadership as possible. For example, once the committee's chairperson fulfills the one-year term, the assistant chair becomes the chairperson. |ret||ret||tab|

In addition to overseeing operations at The Plaid Door, JLS also runs a sister project called Fabulous Finds, which is chaired by Lolisa Collins. Al-ready in its third year, this annual one-day event allows JLS to sell items not normally found at The Plaid Door, such as electronic appliances, dishes, cookware and furniture. |ret||ret||tab|

The next Fabulous Finds is tentatively scheduled for April 20, 2002.|ret||ret||tab|

Those who donate clothing or other items to Fabulous Finds or The Plaid Door receive a receipt so they can write off their charitable contribution come tax time. More importantly, those who make contributions know the money made through the sale of their items will be used to help fund projects in the community, Hart said. |ret||ret||tab|

Last year, money raised by Fabulous Finds and The Plaid Door helped fund community projects such as Teen Court, ABC's and 123's, and Women Helping Women, to name but a few. |ret||ret||tab|

Currently, JLS volunteers are planning to hold a "Spruce Up Day" at The Plaid Door. Vol-unteers will paint, decorate and otherwise update the look of the shop, which is located at 1920 E. Sunshine just one block east of Glenstone. |ret||ret||tab|

"The fact that The Plaid Door has been in business 25 years says something," Hart said. "The Plaid Door has withstood the test of time, and it will continue to provide great values to people who live in the community." [[In-content Ad]]