Berkshire Thrift -Help Us, Help You!!

Berkshire Thrift - Not just a thrift store, it's an experience!!

We started this GoFundMe 5 years ago, and never reached our goal. But, WE (my crazy butt and a dedicated community) said we would do it, and WE did! We embarked on this adventure together, and despite the crazy roller coaster ride it's been, pandemic and all, WE made it this far and continue to have BIG plans for our future! But…… WE need your help (again) to get there!

We are at a tipping point. One of two things will happen. One, we will open our second store, taking the next steps of solidifying our business and be able to live our Mission. OR, we will have to close the store and liquidate the warehouses, so that we can pay our debts and have the working capital we need to keep moving forward. If we could sell our stuff, (you will see SOME of our inventory in the videos below) we would be able to keep building and bring this amazing place to its full fruition!!

For a more personal view of our store, and story, please watch our "way too long, low budget, but really cool videos!!

Our Store

Our New Store

UUUHHHHHH, Are you Flipping Serious?!!!?

Why our store exists:

Our Mission:

Reuse, recycle, and repurpose while providing quality, affordable goods to the local community and helping save the planet- one piece of junk at a time!

Our Motto(s):

“This isn’t a Thrift Store, it’s an Experience.”

‘Do good. Have fun. Make money.’

“We’re all here because we’re not all there”

Where we started........

Where we are.......

Where we're going.......

The Berkshire Thrift Annex -

A 3000s/f warehouse-style thrift store on Steroids!! Ok, actually on Estrogen!! From personal experience, I can tell you the power of Estrogen over Testerone!! LOL

****Pics coming soon!! Be sure to check back soon!****

About Berkshire Thrift’s Go Fund Me:

• Purpose:

To raise enough working and investment capital to properly, ergonomically...? complete the build-out and open our second location; upgrade to a properly suited working vehicle and trailer; catch up on Covid-related debts, update our 17-year-old computer, 24-year-old cash register, and other small equipment and store upgrades. To maintain, at minimum, 6 months of working capital to guarantee sustained forward movement in our mission to serve our community, its people and beyond; through our passionate belief in sustainability and reuse. To afford to provide more than a livable income for our team, while we work towards a self-supported space.

• Goals:

Current store necessities

Upgrades to heating in the store

Addition of needed lighting

Actually, get a hot water heater!

Other minor store upgrades

Funding for opening our second store (store almost complete)

Finish the build-out

Staff the new location

Cover operation costs for the first few months

Working Capital

Payroll for new employees

Expansion of online sales

Better coordination with charities

Upgrade from a Sole Proprietorship to an LLC

Vehicle purchase

Replace our currently dying vehicle

Upgrade to a full-size truck, for proper and safe moving of merchandise

Covid related expenses

1+ years of total back rent owed

Other minor debt from Covid struggles

• How we got here:

Unlike many small businesses forced to close due to Covid, we have managed to hang on through Tegan's hard work at other jobs and strategically closing the store during slower parts of the seasons. This allowed us to maintain just enough to hang on by a thread. While the whole time still taking in all donated items and garage sale leftovers. What this did, is what got us here. We have an extreme overabundance of inventory and not enough people or capital to facilitate the selling of this inventory in a timely enough manner to keep us afloat. We are “junk” rich, and cash poor.

• Challenges and Opportunities:

Challenges – without funding

* Affording the items on the list above, is needed to keep our doors open.

*Closing is inevitable, without this funding.

*Structuring the absolute largest and most amazing, several-month-long, going-out-of-business extravaganza.

*Initiating our Exit Strategy, designed to, at minimum, pay off any debt owed by Berkshire Thrift to its creditors.

Opportunities – with funding

* To take a solidly built business foundation, with a community cornerstone, and expand it from a small giving entity to what will be one of the larger thrift and salvage operations, based on higher volume movement at lower prices, in the area. This is what sets us apart from typical thrift stores or salvage yards, which look to sell more "valued" items for higher prices to meet profit margins; our most important goal is serving our community and the environment around us. It’s one of our mottos!

* To provide more local employment opportunities, in a business that is built and operated by neuro-diverse individuals. We will continue to provide an environment that is supportive of its team, and its customer base.

*To help grow the economy in our small community, helping to raise the viability of other businesses and community organizations.

* Complete the remaining steps in the opening of our second store, which will serve all of our core goals, benefitting greatly our team, our community and our environment.

*Helping to build further, the opportunities of service we have already engaged in, to go beyond how we can help as a retail establishment.

• Giving back to you, for your support:

2nd limited edition book of poetry

I will be publishing my 2nd book of poetry!! And it will once again include original artwork from numerous artists, one for each poem. The first 100 people to donate $50 will receive a signed and numbered copy of the book.

Reprint of the first book

All donations of $30 will receive a copy of the 2nd printing of my first book of poetry. These will not be signed or numbered. The original printing was 5 years ago, our original store seed money, and I have had tons of requests for a copy, so it’s time.

Both Books, and a signed piece of art??!!?!!

The first 15 donors of $150.00 or more; will get both books AND their choice of one of the original pieces of art, signed and framed, from the artists in the book!! This will be done on a first-come basis for the choice of art.

Gift Certificates/Thrifty Bucks

If you want to give, and love, love, love shopping at the store or you know someone who does; we will are offering $50.00 in Thrifty Bucks...(aka gift certificate) to the store(s) with every $100.00 donation. You may request to receive the Thrifty Bucks directly so you can shop or request they be re-donated to a community member in need.

Business Loans

Do you see the vision and believe in the mission? Can you see how far this could go? Interested in helping with a larger amount? But want some type of return on your investment? We are open to non-conventional lending.

About Berkshire Thrift:

Berkshire Thrift began as an idea that owner Tegan Joy Cook had in 2017 to start an outdoor tag sale to keep usable items out of landfills and to give affordable access to some of the community's most vulnerable members. The universe promptly pointed out it had much, much bigger plans! Quickly the tiny outdoor tag sale became what is now Berkshire Thrift. While the store and the inspiration have continued to grow, the bigger-picture mission and guiding principles have remained the same! Berkshire Thrift works directly with local nonprofits and community organizations to provide people experiencing big life changes with the clothing, furniture, and home goods they need to rebuild their lives. Coordinating with local organizations that determine who in the community is most in need, from those leaving transitional housing and abusive relationships to those who have job interviews but can't afford a suit, knowing we can help is what it's all about! While we operate like a standard thrift store, selling donated or found items at a low price; we also offer free vouchers to community members who need help getting back on their feet.

Berkshire Thrift is a 2000-square-foot store that also operates another 5000-square- feet of warehouse storage. The additional storage was needed due to the overwhelming generosity of our local community. We have a second store set to open at the beginning of 2023. It's already filled with many treasures, but we need additional financial support from the community to help keep Berkshire Thrift going and to get the new store up and running!

The Visionaries Behind Berkshire Thrift:

Tegan Joy Cook, owner of Berkshire Thrift, upcycling pro and artist, moved to Columbia County, New Lebanon in 2016. Growing up in North Dakota on a farm, Tegan quickly became very resourceful and learned how to reuse just about everything! “I love repurposing something from its original use and turning it into other things,” she says. “The best part is that it’s not ending up in a landfill. This is why thrifting is so important. It helps to save the world, one piece of junk at a time.” Tegan has led several highly successful businesses in the past, such as Absolute ConcreteWorks.

Tegan has many passions in life and often expresses her heartfelt emotion through the arts. As an avid poet, she often uses poetry to share herself with the world while using it as an outlet for self-reflection. As a strong woman and transgender member of the LGBTQ+ community, Tegan hopes her willingness to be open and share her truth will inspire others. Thanks to Tegan, Berkshire Thrift has become a safe haven to many and a judgment-free zone where everyone is valued for their individuality.

“We are a culture of waste and a culture of ease,” Tegan says. “We’ve been taught that if something has a broken part, we should throw it away and get a new one.” While Tegan made this comment about material items, she believes it has also become a cultural mentality where people have become too replaceable. Tegan has worked hard to overcome the struggles she has faced and continues to face. She has remained a shining light of joy and inspiration to others despite her battles.

The continuation of Tegans Vision

Opening the Berkshire Thrift Annex

Inventory

Warehouses

jobs for locals, recycling projects, environmental impact

Community Involvement

Help Your Neighbors Get Back On Their Feet! This is our ultimate goal!!!

How we give back

New programs Sneakers/Clothes

Free Shelves - Soon to be Free Shed!!

Giveaways

A new adventure, and return to another calling........

While things are a struggle at the moment, I am being drawn back to my Healing Arts. The blessings of my new home have more than indicated to my soul, that I need to further my healing, by helping others further theirs.

This will be a slow building process and will manifest itself in its own time. I am excited to see how my role at Berkshire Thrift will begin to evolve, and provide me the opportunity to explore the Joy of creation there, that I have had to keep the tap on low, to remain focused on the journey! It's time, I get a recess, and I'm going to go PLAY in this playground (masking as a thrift store) that a community built!!

With your help, this.......amazing thing that is, whatever the hell Berkshire Thrift is, will further raise my Joy, and afford me to share that Joy with others..........

DAMN!!!! WE EVEN RECYCLE JOY HERE!!!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn all about Berkshire Thrift! Please feel free to share this with anyone who may be interested in helping our cause or who may be interested in coming by the store to shop! Open Fri 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm and Sun 9 am-4 pm!