- April 24, 2024
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Rescue Retail Manager Janine Anderson, Mike Leonard, Margaret Ferguson, Vonda Sullivan, -Halifax Humane Society Board Chairman Mel Stack, JJ Roberts, and Halifax Humane Society CEO Pam Clayton. Photo by Michele Meyers
Nikki Porter, Kristi McCann, Connor Anderson, Janine Anderson and Danny Martin hang out with Ellie and Buck at the grand opening of Rescue ReTail. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Saw Man-Tim Martin and James Martin donated their performance for Rescue ReTail 's ribbon cutting celebration. Photo by Michele Meyers
Nikki Porter and her sidekick Buck perused the new Rescue ReTail thrift store. Photo by Michele Meyers
Nikki Porter and Buck at the new Rescue ReTail thrift store on U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Rescue ReTail store manager Janine Anderson was instrumental in the day-to-day logistics of moving the thrift store from one location to the other. Photo by Michele Meyers
Tim Baker and Meleny Baker discussed making another purchase as Denise Moreno bagged their items at the Rescue ReTail thrift store. Photo by Michele Meyers
Dawn Duncan, Director of Development for Halifax Humane Society. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ellie was all smiles at the grand opening of Rescue ReTail. Photo by Michele Meyers
Kristi McCann and Ellie stopped by the Rescue ReTail thrift store's grand opening to shop. Photo by Michele Meyers
Rescue ReTail staff, Damien Ray Wolf, checked the pet supply area which included a baby Yoda dog harness. Photo by Michele Meyers
The Saw Man-Tim Martin and James Martin performed at the Rescue ReTail ribbon cutting celebration. Photo by Michele Meyers
Halifax Humane Society Board Chairman Mel Stack Sr. posed in front of the new Rescue ReTail sign on U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach. Photo by Michele Meyers
Rescue ReTail launched its official grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 4. The Halifax Humane Society’s newly relocated thrift store opened early to a steady stream of patrons.
Dawn Duncan, director of development for the Halifax Humane Society, is in charge of working with the community to increase private resource donations, overseeing events and the thrift store which she calls “the little thrift that could.” She was impressed with the new location’s turnout.
“We had a soft launch on June 1 and had a record day of sales,” she said. “Yesterday proved equally as strong. Today the line has been extraordinarily long before even our normal opening time.”
According to the HHS Community Outreach Director Barry Kukes, they lost their lease and had a choice: lease somewhere else or buy a building. The nonprofit chose to purchase a free-standing building on one of the busiest thoroughfares in Ormond Beach: Yonge Street. HHS’ previous thrift store was situated off West Granada Boulevard and was not easily seen from the road. So far, the new location has been a boon for business.
“We are always looking at the numbers. You have to run it as a business. I know it’s for the animals. We respect and love our animals but if we are not financially successful, how can we benefit the animals?”
Mel Stack Sr., Board Chairman for the Halifax Humane Society
“We’ve had some super sales days already,” he said. “I think it’s the visibility, it’s a nicer building, people are interested, and it’s newer. I’m sure sales will tail off, but we hope it will stay around double.”
Purchasing the new facility was a strategic investment to help offset the deficit the organization has operated at every year. The Granada store generated close to half a million dollars annually in revenue. With the new location operational, HHS is hoping to double those figures and reach $1 million in annual revenue to support animals in need.
Mel Stack Sr. has been the board chairman of the Halifax Humane Society for 30 years. He has served on a variety of boards in the community and believes HHS’ board to be one of the best and most financially astute in the area. When attacking issues that affect animals, they not only consider the welfare of the animal but also look at it from a financial standpoint to figure out a way to achieve success.
“We are always looking at the numbers,” he said. “You have to run it as a business. I know it’s for the animals. We respect and love our animals, but if we are not financially successful, how can we benefit the animals?”
Stack learned long ago that there were no advocates for the animals even though the majority of people cared about them. He felt that giving back to them was a way of giving back to the community.
“I like doing what I’m doing because what gives me the most satisfaction is giving back to the community through the animals,” he said.
Kukes has been working for HHS for five years. “I don’t work there for income, I work there for outcome,” he said.
For more information, visit https://www.halifaxhumanesociety.org/thrift-store/index
