In this episode, join Mike Triem as he discusses with Maggie Sivique the exciting expansion of Arc Thrift into Albuquerque, New Mexico. Discover how Arc Thrift is extending its support and advocacy for individuals with disabilities by collaborating with the local ARC chapter. Maggie shares insights into this out-of-state venture and the impact it’s poised to have on the community, continuing Arc Thrift’s tradition of turning shopping into empowerment for many families in need.
Hey, it’s Mike Trriem with KLTT. We’re here with Maggie Scivique. Maggie’s with Arc Thrift, and we’re so excited for you, Maggie. New store in where?
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Who knew?
Mike Triem :
Okay. Very cool. Because it’s always been pretty much Colorado only, right?
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Yes. Yes. This is our first venture into the out-of-state market, but we couldn’t be more delighted because Albuquerque is kind of like our sister city, right?
Mike Triem :
Yeah. Yeah, it is. Very much Denver-ish, clean, beautiful city, a lot going on there. And What applies to the ARC thrift there applies here too. So talk about some of those great things that that community will be learning.
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Absolutely. You know, we are going to be working with the ARC chapter of New Mexico. And those folks are doing some really amazing advocacy work with people with disabilities. So we’re going to definitely have the same sort of partnership that we have in Colorado. When you shop or donate, you’re going to be supporting your local Albuquerque community. of New Mexico arc chapter, which is very exciting. They’re doing some really amazing things. But they need more money, right? So the opportunity for us to open a store really presented itself. This is going to be a huge store, very similar to our store off Iliff and Buckley. It’s one of our bigger locations. And the goal will be… to hire people with intellectual disabilities, definitely alongside our neurotypical folks right there in Albuquerque and to provide, you know, more selection and more savings, just like we do here in Denver. We have the wide aisles, the bright store. Every single department will be very similar to here in Colorado. And the goal is really to, you know, present the community with the best thrift opportunity out there.
Mike Triem :
Now, tell us about who you help at ARC Thrift, because that’s something that, again, no matter how much we talk about it, a lot of people just don’t know.
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Yeah, our goal is to fund the ARC chapters and provide them with as much money as possible. And the work that the chapters do here in Colorado, also in New Mexico, is all about advocacy, services for families, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have issues in school, in education, Healthcare and finding housing, transition programs, all the things that come along with having a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are a lot of things that come up and the ARC chapters are there to be a resource for you, a guide, an advocate for all the things that you need to get done for your child as they grow. And then, you know, even into adulthood as well.
Mike Triem :
So a listener that has what kind of situation and says, I didn’t know that, who would they be and who would their child or their adult look like?
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Oh, it’s a great question, Mike. I mean, really, this affects all of us, whether it’s your sibling, your child, or your neighbor. Someone is utilizing the ARC chapters in your town. It’s really difficult to navigate the waters of having a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities smoothly all the way. Things come up, whether your child has autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome. There’s lots of things that come up, and navigating the world with an ARC advocate by your side is really a blessing. So it’s one of those things where we focus on the stores. That’s what you want me and my team to do is provide really great thrift stores and a great selection at a great price so that we can sell as much product as possible so that the proceeds can go to the ARC chapters and fund them to do the advocacy.
Mike Triem :
Talk about the, you know, something that we know, but not every, you know, every listener knows is that so much, you know, out there, there are places that are raising money and it goes there, you know, everywhere. But a little bit to the person that’s helping that aren’t thrift. It’s a huge percentage. Address that issue, would you?
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
You know, we do a really good job of that here. I’m very proud of it. We run very lean. We don’t have a giant corporate office staff. We don’t have, you know, lots of executives making millions of dollars. That is not the case. We all have the same mission in mind, and that’s to make as much money as possible so that the chapters can support as many families as possible. That’s the goal that really sets us apart. And I love it that you can feel good about, you know, shopping thrift. It’s great for the environment.
Mike Triem :
your community the shopping thrift is also really fun speak to that and to some of the stories that you hear
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
you know we just love that thrift has become so mainstream you know used to be a little taboo now it’s like people are so proud to say thanks it’s thrifted uh that’s really a pride point for people they’re so proud to say that they found something at one of our stores it is all about the thrill of the hunt and we get so many generous donations we’re really excited to see what albuquerque brings First of all, we’ll probably bring some of our donations from Colorado to Albuquerque for the first, you know, six months until we really get going and ramp up donations. But, you know, every store is a reflection of the neighborhood, right? So there’s stores that you like specialize in prom dresses. Other stores, it’s great kids clothing. And we have this opportunity in Denver, you can shop multiple stores. That’s the beauty of thrift, the thrill of the hunt, a reflection of the neighborhood and doing something for a good cause.
Mike Triem :
So in the last couple of years, one of the stories I’ve heard a couple of different times is someone saying, I bought such and such item at Arc Thrift, and you know, it was almost new, and that would have cost me $80, $300, like a purse. There was a purse. This lady said, I got this purse. It’s an awesome purse. I didn’t want an ugly purse. You know, that’s a big deal, I guess. And she wanted a nice purse but just couldn’t pay the nice purse prices and found one at Arc Thrift. It was crazy.
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Oh, yeah. The thrill of the hunt is really the best part. We’re so lucky. People just overbuy and we benefit from that. Things that come to us practically brand new, new with tags, that’s not unusual. People are so generous. Kids clothes is the main area where we see those new with tags because the kids outgrow their stuff really quickly. And the parents have pre-bought these items and, oh, shoot, now this brand new item is, you know, no longer fits my child. It goes to ARC. And let me tell you, it benefits the community tremendously. There are a lot of families that are struggling right now. Yeah. A thrift store can really change your wallet. You know, when you’re trying to decide whether to pay a bill or, you know, get a new coat for your kiddo, we’re trying to help those families that have to make those tough decisions. And maybe that decision isn’t as hard when you’re paying, you know, super low prices for practically new items.
Mike Triem :
We’re speaking with Maggie Scivique. Maggie is with Arc Thrift. That’s A-R-C Thrift, and the website’s arcthrift.com. How many stores in Denver?
Maggie Scivique :
30?
Mike Triem :
Or Colorado?
Maggie Scivique :
36.
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Yep, 36 stores in Colorado. Our newest one in South Park, that South Park neighborhood off South Broadway, down there in Littleton. We’re very excited about that store. It’s a little smaller. A lot of fun there. And then Albuquerque will be 37. I can’t believe it.
Mike Triem :
Yeah, and something here that people need to know is it provides the blessing of you being able to give to Arc Thrift things that I guarantee you, if you look through your house, if you really do so with fresh eyes, you’ll see things that haven’t been used for years that are brand new or close to brand new. Or you’ll see small electronics. You’ll see furniture. I mean, there’s a lot that you guys will take, right?
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Yeah. Absolutely. We have very few restrictions on the items that you can donate to our stores. And we try and make it as easy as possible. You know, we’re headed in. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but we’re going into like spring cleaning time. We call this our tsunami season. And that’s really when people start to ramp up cleaning out their garages. Their sheds, you know, we’ll take all of those garden supplies. You’re redoing your patio furniture. We’ll take that patio furniture. Oh, we have a huge need right now for soft furniture. That’s like recliners, couches, love seats, all those things. We’ll pick those things up for free from your home. Get them outside for us and we’ll pick them up. And that’s super easy to do with our online scheduler or you can give us a call and we’ll schedule you up as well.
Mike Triem :
I think that’s a good challenge for each one of you hearing this interview. Go take a look. See in your basement if you have a couch or in another room where you think it’s time to replace that. Well, then honor somebody who needs a couch but can’t afford a new couch and take your good condition couch, fall arc, thrift, get it. picked up, get it out to the curb, get it done. And you, Maggie, your folks, they’re really timely, right? So if somebody gets something out to the curb at that point in time, it’s going to get picked up and you’re good to go, right?
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Yeah. Oh, yeah. It’s very easy to schedule. I think we’re usually like a week or two out, but give us a little bit of time. But here’s the thing. We do it for free. We know there’s a lot of companies out there that charge a lot of money to pick these things up or Worst case, you’re having to pay money to go take it to the dump. Let us take a look first. If this is a reusable couch that can give somebody some comfort, please think of us. We’ll pick it up for free. We’ll sell it at our stores. It saves both of us time and money.
Mike Triem :
Yeah, and keep stuff out of the landfill. As a listener, whether you feel like you’re someone who’s very recycle conscious or not as much, the bottom line is if you can keep it out of the landfill, do that. Absolutely. Tell us about some of the things that people will find as we start to go into spring. What are people going to find in the stores that they might really need this time of year?
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
You know, this time of year is definitely our sweater season. We’re headed into a time where, you know, people are stocking up on sweaters. Our sweater sale is coming up. I don’t know if this airs before or after. I’m going to go ahead and plug it. But it’s Friday, February 7th. We’re very excited. That’s a 99-cent sweater sale for men’s, women’s, and kids. Yeah, very exciting. And then in the spring, we’ll likely have a $2 jean sale or $2 sale. So that’s probably right around the corner as well. I don’t have a date yet, but it’s coming. We like to do things as a secret. You know, Mike, we keep it close to the vest. Excellent. But, you know, best way, yeah, best way to follow us is on all of our socials. We are on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, all the places. We’re updating with our influencers, talking about the fun ways that you can shop thrift and all the sales that are coming. And then, of course, you know, my favorite, every Saturday, 50% off most items in the store.
Mike Triem :
Yeah, that’s crazy. And they’re already, you know, very reasonable. Then you take it at 50% off and it’s just, you know. Stuff flies off the shelves, but then you stock them up quick, so you guys know what the deal is.
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Yes, that keeps the product fresh. People ask us, how can you do it every Saturday? Our competitors are taking away sales, and we’re adding sales. The idea is to keep the product fresh. We want you to come back again and again. We want you to shop often, and you’re looking for new things every time you come in. We’ve got to keep our shelves stocked to the brim and turn them over quickly.
Mike Triem :
Well, it’s Maggie with Arc Thrift. And Maggie, new store in Albuquerque. We’re excited for you guys because we know that’s a big move. So awesome. And then here in Denver, new stores, 36 locations. And Maggie, you mentioned the pickup of larger items too. And people can also at the same time with those larger items have some smaller stuff that goes too, right? Yeah.
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
Absolutely. And this is the season of food, too. We’ll be starting up our Feed Colorado food drive really soon. So if you come with donations, bring a bag of those canned foods, clean out the pantry, bring those food items. We work hand in hand with our partners at Volunteers of America to provide to 70 food pantries across the state. It is super critical that we keep those pantries full. The need is growing exponentially. And we really are a critical piece of their food pantries and our generous donors who are bringing us their gently loved items. If they include a bag of food, it really makes a tremendous difference.
Mike Triem :
I’m glad you said that because I know food’s in need 24-7 throughout the year. Absolutely. And sometimes we don’t think of our thrift and food, and we should because you guys do a lot in that area.
Maggie Scivique (Guest) :
I appreciate that. That’ll be next to Albuquerque. We’re on our way there. We’re going to get established and then we’re going to start working with food banks there too. So we’re really excited to make a difference.
Mike Triem :
Awesome. So it’s arcthrift.com. Any questions, just go there. It’s got everything you need.
