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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2006 Trish Pelzel, of Arc�s Treasures II boutique thrift shop, offers shoppers a remodeled store with a select inventory. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Arc’s thrift store gets a facelift Newly remodeled store will offer 1,000 more feet of floor space and higher-quality merchandise By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Hoping to close a funding gap, one of the county’s oldest advocacy groups has given its thrift store a boutique feel. The Arc of Jackson County’s flagship store, Treasures II, is wrapping up a six-month remodel that opened up about 1,000 square feet of floor space. Paint in bright green, yellow, blue and purple; gallery-type lighting and new flooring updated the downtown Medford storefront. "Before it was just very run-down," said Executive Director Trish Pelzel. Treasures II has been at 121 N. Central Ave. since 1985. The Arc — a Jackson County organization for the past 45 years — works to improve the lives of developmentally challenged residents and sells donated clothing, furniture and other items to benefit clients. Store sales make up about 18 percent of the group’s funding. The organization gambled on the $45,000 remodel in hopes of attracting more business, Pelzel said. Advertisement The Arc lost approximately $25,000 of annual funding in October 2004 when The Arc of Multnomah County discontinued a well-known donation pickup program in the area, she said. Sparked by telephone marketing restrictions imposed under the national no-call list, The Arc of Multnomah County ended a contract with Value Village, which ultimately closed its doors in Medford’s Bear Creek Plaza. In exchange for soliciting and picking up local donations, the Portland-area group gave The Arc of Jackson County a cut of resale profits, Pelzel said. Although the arrangement helped fund the local Arc chapter, donors may have mistakenly thought their contributions were going directly to Jackson County clients, Pelzel said. "Even though they’re not getting the phone calls, we’re still here," Pelzel said. The Arc of Jackson County has always accepted donations at its Central Avenue location but, in its bid for a better thrift store, has become more choosy, Pelzel said. The organization does not accept exercise equipment, furniture with rips or tears, king-sized beds, console televisions or appliances larger than a microwave. "As a whole, what we have here is higher quality," she said. Starting its own pickup arrangement also will help The Arc stock its store. Pelzel said she hopes to renew the local service by April, but unlike the northern chapter’s operation, it will only be available several days each month. For more information on The Arc of Jackson County, call 779-4520.m Reach reporter Sarah Lemonat 776-4487, or e-mail Arc�s thrift store gets a facelift ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Advertisement s Advertisement