Salvation Army store to close | Napa Valley Register

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Salvation Army store to close

Napa will lose iconic thrift store

Saturday, November 08, 2008

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By MIKE TRELEVEN
Register Staff Writer

The Salvation Army Thrift Store on Main Street will close its doors at the end of November. The retailer does not plan to open at another location in town.

Store manager Veronica Gonzalez said the reasons the store is closing are common — an increase in rent and the fact that the shop simply isn’t bringing in enough money.

“But we were always busy,” added the single mother of three. “Customers are sad, upset. They need this store, they want this store. They want to try and get something done about it.”

Ten full-time employees and three part-timers will lose their jobs. She and the employees were told of the closure on Oct. 24. “I was just in shock. I couldn’t talk. Some employees cried and were upset,” Gonzalez said.

Inventory in the thrift store ranges from dining room tables and other furnishings to children’s toys, glassware, books and bookcases and clothing for everyone from babies to adults.

Shackford’s Kitchen Store is next door to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. “I’m bummed. I use to shop there,” said Jacqueline Shackford. “There are a couple of other players. I can go to Goodwill in Riverpark and Community Projects.”

She is hopeful that whatever will occupy the space “will bring business downtown.”

John Shackford said the Salvation Army was a good neighbor. “They brought a lot of traffic by our store. There was not a lot of spillover, most of their shoppers are looking for bargains and we don’t have that.”

He said he has only heard rumors as to what will happen with the Main Street property.

Jeff Doran, owner of the Johnson Doran building across the street, was not aware the Salvation Army Store was leaving. His building is home to retailers the Learning Faire and Playful Garden.

“That’s pretty interesting. Needless to say philanthropically I’m hopeful they can find a better location,” Doran said. “Gentrification for that block has been waiting to happen for a long time. I’m pretty excited. That is why we purchased (the Johnson-Doran building).

The Salvation Army, Napa Corps, at 590 Franklin St., is not closing. The facility includes a church and provides social services. On a daily basis, it provides 125 hot meal lunches, Monday through Friday.

41 comment(s)

Dirty Napkin wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:07 AM:

" Thats just sad.. No more Sally's.. Guess its down to the Value Center in V-town.. "

Bebee's Human wrote on Nov 7, 2008 6:19 AM:

" This store will be missed very much. We can only hope the Salvation Army will open another store in Napa someday. We need a Salvation Army Thrift store to help financially support the Salvation Army's good work for drug and alcohol rehabilatation also. "

dalilah wrote on Nov 7, 2008 7:38 AM:

" Another one bites the dust. I never thought, never imagined, that the Salvation Army would close it's doors. Is there not some law against this? I mean, it is the Salvation Army and people need salvation now more than we have in a long time. I guess Community Projects will get a lot more business. "

jwk wrote on Nov 7, 2008 7:45 AM:

" Business's and Corporations are "Obama Proofing their Business and Income" With his Wealth Sharing idea (Socialism) and his proposed Tax Increases, As alot of us told you, YOU Ain't seen nothin yet" I know of three other Business owner much larger than myself that are cutting back and will be laying off people. I'll be laying off 20 to 30 % of my work force as well. I refuse to pay any more Income Taxes or Increased Payroll taxes and especially Capital Gains Taxes. Not to mention the ridiculous notion of forcing us to pay for Medical Benefits for the Unemployed, Unwilling and Illegals..PLUS, Can't wait to see the faces on some of you folks that Voted for this Phony when you hit the 65% tax bracket and lose your 401K's. Elections DO matter. I'll be watching as you hit the unemployment lines. Seen the Stock Market since The Messiah was elected? The Obama recession is in FULL Swing. A wise man once said" Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it!!! "

mafi wrote on Nov 7, 2008 7:49 AM:

" Please find another location- we will come!! I feel sorry for the great employees! The Cashiers were always so nice and friendly! "

P.L.U.R wrote on Nov 7, 2008 8:16 AM:

" WELL, I HAVE TRYED TO SHOP THERE, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS OVER PRICED, IT SMELLED SICK IN THERE,,,IT IS SAD, BUT,,,,WHAT CAN I SAY.THE STUFF IS 2ND HAND, NOT BRAND NEW. "

notshocked wrote on Nov 7, 2008 8:24 AM:

" more fear-mongering (jwk). I suppose you'll blame Mervyn's demise on the NEW PRESIDENT ELECT too? I, for one, will definitely be affect by the new tax brackets, and not in a good way. It's time to make the nation better and I'm prepared to brace myself and help make it happen. "

db76 wrote on Nov 7, 2008 8:29 AM:

" With all the damage the failed Bush admin and Republican trickle-down strategy caused, Napa needs a store like the Salvation Army more than ever. Even worse, that space will be unoccupied, like all the other vacant store fronts, until Obama can repair the economic damage, which will probably take his first 4 years. "

Napa_Citizen wrote on Nov 7, 2008 8:49 AM:

" At all the times for them to close up shop - it really shouldnt be RIGHT NOW! Unemployment at a high....gas & food prices and the economy! (sigh)

Please, please, please dont close!

I cant help to question what the TRUE reasons for the closure.

It usually politics or $$$!

That store has been there since I was born in.... I am just in shock.

Is it the complaints from the "posh" and new building across the street that have their fancy schmancy restaurant clientele and high rent??? Is it an eye sore now because it doesnt quite fit with the downtown "atmosphere" that the City of Napa is trying to create downtown????
Is it the donations that are dropped off on the side street that bother clients across the street??

This is just a bigger push to further the distance between those that struggle to make it and the wealthy who probably dont care that Salvation Army is shutting down.

Someone should stand up and do something about this.... This feels like an absolute crime. Is there a wealthy person in Napa that will fight for the poor? Is there a wealthy person that will help the poor? Someone please....stand and do the right thing here. "

ValleyKitten wrote on Nov 7, 2008 8:58 AM:

" This is sad..I love going to the Salvation Army and searching out good finds...:( "

Percussionqueen7 wrote on Nov 7, 2008 9:04 AM:

" Anything we can do to stop this? If we all donate money or go shop there this month will they reconsider? "

truthteller wrote on Nov 7, 2008 9:14 AM:

" jwk, come on. I've never read someone embracing an impending and imagined calamity with such utter glee. Everything you write is in your own head at this point. Obama doesn't take office until January, so I don't think you can blame him for this particular store closure. You must be a truly unhappy person in good times and bad. I'm sure your employees have the same loyalty to you as you have for them. Good luck with your layoffs I hope your firings go well. "

97526 wrote on Nov 7, 2008 9:23 AM:

" To JWK:
Very well said!!!
From a former Napan "

bosss wrote on Nov 7, 2008 9:52 AM:

" jwk how can you blame Obama for this closure whenin the article it says the employees were notified of it on october 24 "

chunk wrote on Nov 7, 2008 11:47 AM:

" I've found some sweet stuff at the value center. "

bettye wrote on Nov 7, 2008 11:51 AM:

" I ,too, am sad to see the Salvation Army store close.I have shopped there for years ..Is it becouse Napa is getting too high class for the thrift stores ??
The "4" kids sake" store is good for children , also the Discovery Shop is a good place for bargins.. and the Goodwill in Riverpark .. I am disappointed in Jackies Consignment .. Who in Napa is going to go there for expensive items ?? If they have $4,000
to spend on a bed , do you think they would be shopping a CONSIGNMENT shop.. ?? Community Projects ,get ready for lots of business... "

mafi wrote on Nov 7, 2008 12:19 PM:

" I'm not poor or rich, but have really enjoyed all the gems at the store- especially half off days!! There's no better deal. Napa needs to get it's nose out of the air! I got 20 ink cartridges for my printer for $20!! Jeans for $2.50..
of course it smells musty- it's a thrift shop! "

Maya wrote on Nov 7, 2008 2:07 PM:

" I've heard that value center is full of people fighting over things. Not my kind of bargain shopping. I will miss the salvation army store. I love having an easy place to take our belongings when we don't need them any longer. "

BigRod wrote on Nov 7, 2008 3:44 PM:

" Thats real sad ! Hey jonny A why don't you go hungry for this cause ! I've done some shopping there and found some real neat thing that i bought - and when i was down & out I bought some shirts/ pants to look good for my interview didn't get the job but look good ! So thank-you for being there for me ! SAD-SAD- DAY but thats NAPA for you stepping on the little people !!!!!!!! :( "

14obama wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:09 PM:

" The 'Value Center' has some crazy rules. If you find an item without a price on it,they treat you like you're responsible for it not being there and won't take it in stride and give you a price. You have to pass on it,though it's just a nickel/dime item. Petty stuff like that makes me stay home. "

misfit wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:52 PM:

" I would suggest that they lower their prices so that it will bring in more customers. I shop there at times and I also go to garage sales and consignment shops. The prices are higher at the Salvation Army for the types of items that they sell. I'm sure others would agree. "

misfit wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:55 PM:

" There is a consignment store in Sonoma on the Sonoma Highway, across from the Fruit Basket that is downright cheap and sells very good quality items. Definately Different, here in town also has some good deals but are more geared toward furnishings.
Once again...Salvation Army needs to lower it's prices! "

Grommitt wrote on Nov 7, 2008 7:19 PM:

" I've found their selection limited and of mediocre quality, compared to other Salvation Army and Goodwill stores in the Bay Area. In this "upscale" area, they should have better quality goods. Also, they (and Goodwill) have the maddening practice of sorting their clothing by color, never size; and much of it has been mislabled with the wrong size by the staff. "

verum wrote on Nov 7, 2008 7:44 PM:

" Lower prices, indeed! Bakers Square quietly closed; maybe they should have lowered their prices, like Mervyns.The good news is: Up and coming Main St. will no longer be a place for tourists to see the people that are in the neighborhood who can not afford almost all of the nearby shops and restaurants. "

firewitch wrote on Nov 7, 2008 7:58 PM:

" Perhaps the Salvation Army would consider contacting the river park owners to move into the old Vallegras building. They will be needed now more than ever with unemployment rising and families to support.

it's to bad building owners are more concerned with raising the rent, selling the buildings for modernization and not concerned with community. Especially since the community is here all year long supporting them where as tourist come and go to the new buildings. "

BLACKPONY wrote on Nov 7, 2008 11:02 PM:

" find another location.... if you build it they will come "

napa_mom wrote on Nov 7, 2008 11:27 PM:

" JWK...Seen the Stock Market since The Messiah was elected? Did you see the Stock Market since July? Do you blame the 5000 point drop in the Dow since then on Obama as well? You sound utterly ridiculous in your doom and gloom paranoia. My knee has been hurting me since Tuesday..is it a coincidence or did OBAMA do it. Wake up and grow up. "

jwk wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:16 AM:

" You knees Need to be Hurting from praying!! The stock Market projects / Speculates about 6 to 9 months out. And Most Smart investors and Business Owners have been Planning on "Obama Proofing their Business's and Portfolios. Most Coprs. and People in the Middle and Upper Class have been Dreading this Election result for over a year.. And The Messiah has been trying to be President. Seen his News Conferences (When he has his foot out of his mouth that is) Forget about his attempt to "Keep Iraq from Taking over power and control from the USA until after his election!! Which by the way is treason!! He has long been Playing President. You will see another Carter era disaster and most likely worse. Sit back and watch like We Conservative, Capitalistic, Business owners are NOT willing to do. We see the writing on the wall!!! It will BE REAL UGLY I promise you!! SOCIALISM doesn't and never has worked!! Hello.. "

steph wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Bummer. I've bought lots of cool stuff at the Salvation Army!
Sorry to see them close up. I wish they'd find another location, maybe in the industrial park? "

PlasticPinkFlamingo wrote on Nov 8, 2008 12:52 PM:

" jwk is right. All these people are dancing around their new messiah, but they have sold their souls for a mess of porridge. They will eventually wake up when they lose their jobs and prices go sky high with inflation. There will be no oil drilling, the coal industry will be bankrupt. With high taxes on business there will not be enough capital left over for investment in new technology. But that's OK, our ego-driven leader will keep on preaching to us about how it is patriotic to pay more in taxes (actually it is idiotic, he had that wrong too). Thanks for giving it straight jwk, but hold on tight - the left wing reality bending and whining will come over like a tsunami wave. "

verum wrote on Nov 8, 2008 7:15 PM:

" The issue of a thrift store on Main St. Napa is the same as a Walmart in the middle of Dubai. "

amigo wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:42 PM:

" The reason the store closed was the new building owner jacked the rent up.
It seems intentional to drive out less desirable business that cater to a lower class of people.

The owner across the street said it openly that he hopes for "gentrification" of that block and that "hes exicited" about driving the lower income business elsewhere.
Thats napa in a nutshell.
Wheres the compassion that these libs rant about? "

db76 wrote on Nov 9, 2008 8:13 AM:

" Yeah, socialism has never worked, especially for Singapore, Sweden, Israel....But seriously, having healthcare for all is highly overrated. It's much better for just the rich to afford doctors. "

mafi wrote on Nov 9, 2008 9:46 AM:

" They better be careful what they wish for- it may be vacant for years- that would be real blight..and no tax revenue for the city or services for the people that could use them..

Does anyone know if the Kohls going into Mervyns rumor is true? "

rogers wrote on Nov 9, 2008 11:45 AM:

" PPK, jwk, db76...you people never stop trying to forge fear and disseminate bad information. This story has nothing to with Obama. Your Republican Party owns the mess it has created since 2000. You can try to re-write history all you want but the American people have spoken and rejected your bitter divisive approach.

Why not try to offer some positive suggestions for relocation. Perhaps the city could work with a landlord (tax relief) for an affordable solution that will help people, particularly those with lower incomes. When I first relocated to Napa and was at the bottom of a pay scale, second hand furniture and kitchen effects were the way to go. Perhaps some of you never had to do that. "

db76 wrote on Nov 9, 2008 9:27 PM:

" rogers: I'm a democrat and voted for obama. You totally missed the sarcasm in my last post. "

elb wrote on Nov 10, 2008 11:55 PM:

" Who needs a Salvation Army when we've got Obama for president. He'll give us everything we need. Right?

I'll tell you how jwk can blame Obama for what is right around the corner from each and every one of us.

My father-in-law is a recruiter on the East Coast, contracted with huge companies all over the nation.

Guess what? He's pretty much not working right now as most all of his companies have notified him that with Obama's candidacy and now win they are putting a hold on all hiring until they restructure (Down size, aka give hundreds of people the pink slip). They need to offset the increases in taxes that are going to be dumped on them.

Then they won't even consider hiring until after the first quarter of 2009.

Lovely! Couple that with all the businesses that are already folding and you've got disaster!

But never fear: Obama's here and "Obama's gonna save (I mean, change) the world." "

lahrgsp wrote on Nov 11, 2008 9:30 PM:

" I have shopped at the value center in vallejo for years and never once have I seen people fighting over stuff!! "

missmarvelous wrote on Nov 12, 2008 6:31 AM:

" What! Napa does not have enough affordable housing to take care of its poor (the county has been mandated by the Feds to build 3400 low income units) and now they are chasing out the thrift stores? So now not only does Solano county going to have to have to help Napa house its poor, we have to provide the shopping too? Give me a break, the dirty secret is no longer a secret. We understand that our up river cousins would like to save their cities for wineries and up scale grocery stores, and send their social problems down river to lowly Vallejo, its been going on for years and supported by our local and state politicians... "

ADark1 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:05 PM:

" I'd decided to sit back and read the hateful diatribues from the *enlightened* ones such as jwk et al. All I can say is lets take a look at the facts. JWK et al...I understand you may be bitter..I understand you may be misguided, however, Obama hasn't even been sworn in yet. Could you possibly think and believe this is actually a furtherance of the present presidents policies? I know I know...take a LOT to think in a SANE manner! "

jwk wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:08 AM:

" Enough Kool Aid ADork1, The Obama Recession is IN full swing for sure. Most Company's have been planning for these idiotic Tax, Socialistic and Obstruction of any Energy polices Osamabama has promoted for the past 18 months. Every time He opens his mouth or appoints one of the People that caused the fianancial Mortgage mess and Destroyd their city's or states economy the Market and Investors sell sell sell! The Stock Market is NOW down 18% since B.O. was selected. Didn't you guys figure it out with Clintoon and Carter, that raising taxes on Business's, Corporations, Payroll and Capital gains is the death nail for the American Economy. I guess there is a Bright spot though, IF we aren't Blown off the planet due to the Wimpy appeasement mentality, Blame America First and dismantling of our Military "Again", the new Lefty Administration is taking, we will definitely only have 4 years of this UNqualified, INexperienced, Ignorant, Arrogant, Racist, Radical. Problem is it will take 8 to 10 years to fix the damage caused by The Socialistic, ANti-Capitalistic agenda. Again, I wish I was wrong, but the writing is on the wall and the past DOES predict the future. Mark my words Kool Aid drinkers. "

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