Sharon Perez is up for the challenge of leading the way toward the Mercer Island Thrift Shop’s services restoration.
Proceeds from in-store and online sales directly fund the city’s Youth and Family Services (YFS) programs, which include vital counseling and emergency assistance services. Perez — who recently began her role as the shop’s interim administrator — said there’s been an immense increase in the demand for these services during the pandemic, and they’re working to rebuild their operations to support children and families in the community.
“Build Back Better” is the theme of this positive recharge for the resale boutique, which was shuttered in March 2020 due to the pandemic and returned to Sunday-only five-hour operations in August 2020.
Perez is motivated and inspired by everyone involved in the Thrift Shop operations while moving forward with their plan.
“I think we’re in a great position to come back even stronger,” Perez said. “I think the community is really enthusiastic to start donating and shopping and volunteering. And so my job is to get all the operations set up, get staff hired and in place, work with Suzanne (Philen, business coordinator) to get everyone trained, set up the organizational structure that we can come roaring back into serving the community and therefore serving Youth and Family Services with the revenue that it generates.”
The 50-year-old-plus city-run operation brought in more than $1.1 million in funding for YFS in 2019, but its 2020 severe revenue losses resulted in layoffs and furloughs in the YFS department, according to a city press release. The release added that the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation helped offset the shop’s monetary losses with an additional $815,000 in funding support to help restore counseling services for this school year.
The shop is currently open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays at 7710 SE 34th St. Donations resumed in October 2020 on Saturdays only and are temporarily being accepted out of the Mercer Island Community and Event Center at 8236 SE 24th St. A donation event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 22 at the center.
“I think both customers and our residents are ready for the store to get up and running and that really proves evident in how busy we are on our one day of business on Sundays. We typically have a queue waiting to get in at half capacity,” said Philen, adding that they have local and regional customers who embrace the shop. One customer from Bellingham noted that it’s their favorite store.
The shop offers quality items and the staff and volunteers aim to elevate service and presentation in the store, Philen added.
About 350-400 customers roll through in waves on Sundays and the shop hauls in anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 in sales a day. Philen estimates the shop has gathered about $80,000 in revenue from January 2021 until the present day. Recently, one customer put $2,000 toward the shop’s cause by purchasing an Italian 18-carat gold necklace for $1,300 along with glassware, art and furniture.
Perez said it will take time for the shop to bring back more staff members and volunteers to resume pre-pandemic operations. She’s not sure when they’ll receive the green light for a full reopening, but they’re preparing for that next step.
She’s glad to be on board to guide the shop into the future with a dedicated team by her side.
“Somebody said to me when the appointment was announced, they said the Thrift Shop is so much more than a thrift shop. And I think for Islanders, it is really a place of pride,” said Perez, adding that turning those shopping dollars into crucial YFS funding is paramount for residents. “One of the things that makes Mercer Island so unique and special is that Mercer Islanders care. They really care deeply about this community and the world at large.”
Perez, a 10-year Island resident, is married and has two sons, one in fifth grade at West Mercer Elementary and the other in eighth grade at Islander Middle School. Her professional and consulting work includes positions with the Better Boards Initiative, Mercer Island Center for the Arts, Seattle Universal Math Museum, and other nonprofit organizations across the country. She holds board and volunteer positions with the Mercer Island Community Fund, Let’s Move! Mercer Island, the Mercer Island Food Revolution and the Mercer Island Farmers Market.
City Manager Jessi Bon discussed Perez’s role in the shop’s rebuilding process in a city press release.
“Our Thrift Shop is a unique and valued institution in our community with a real impact on the services we provide,” Bon said. “Sharon’s expertise and dedication will be instrumental in building back these services, while creating a stronger and more stable operating future.”
Perez added: “One of my personal values is community building. I look to create connections between people and between organizations and especially look to see how to get exponential value.”
For more information on the shop, donation bins on the Island or to purchase items online, visit https://www.mercerislandthrift.org/
