Are you getting ready to clear out your space for the holiday season? Join Mike Trim as he interviews Maggie from Arc Thrift and dives into the rising demand for large furniture donations. Discover how donating your gently used furniture can support local stores and meet community needs. Maggie shares the unique community service approach of Arc Thrift and the convenience of their free pickup service, allowing generous donors to seamlessly contribute.
Hey, it’s Mike Trim with Crawford Media Group, KLTT. We’re here with Maggie with Arc Thrift. Maggie, how are you?
SPEAKER 02 :
So excited to be here. Thanks for having me, Mike.
SPEAKER 01 :
So we’re talking before Thanksgiving. This interview will be heard before then, too. And large furniture donations, that’s our thing, right?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yes, I just got a call this morning that the stores are really looking for, you know, medium furniture, small furniture, but really that large furniture. So as you’re getting ready for the holidays, perfect opportunity, clean out the living room, clean out the basement, get rid of those couches and recliners and large furniture, dresser items, that kind of thing. We can pick them up for free or you can drop them off at any of our stores or donation stations across the state.
SPEAKER 01 :
So why are your stores asking for those? Is it high demand item for them?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yes, yes, yes. We are just definitely seeing an increase in demand for those large furniture items. You know, things are so expensive anymore. And I think people are getting ready for the holidays. They’ve got a lot of family coming in. They’re starting to prep their homes, slide the couch over for the big Christmas tree. And they’re realizing they might want an upgrade before the holidays. So definitely high in demand for those items. And we still have kids going off to college here. and loading up their apartments. So that probably hit us hard this summer. And it’s just that time, time for us to restock those large furniture items, restock our furniture departments in every store.
SPEAKER 01 :
Now, fun fact is there are a lot of sales coming up really soon for furniture. The seams, I mean, I could be wrong, but it seems like it’s a good time of year. I know Costco’s got stuff that’s going to be on sale and others take advantage of that. And plus the weather’s not miserably cold. So it’s just kind of, you know, good to upgrade everything now.
SPEAKER 02 :
Absolutely. And many of our competitors and a lot of junk haulers out there will charge you to remove your furniture. We don’t do that. We look at this as a community service project. It helps our stores make money. So really, an opportunity for you to either load up that couch into the back of your truck, a neighbor’s truck, and drop off to us. Or you can just go online to book a free pickup of those large furniture items. You can get on our schedule for that. We do pick up across the Front Range for free. So all you need to do is get that large furniture item to your garage, to your driveway and include some boxes and bags with it. Up to 20 boxes and bags of your gently used items can accompany that large furniture for free and we will pick it up.
SPEAKER 01 :
So four or five bags, six bags, you know, some people won’t have 20. That’s okay too, right?
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s okay. Absolutely. That’s all right.
SPEAKER 01 :
And talk about the other items too, the dressers, that kind of thing. Do you guys have a need for that type of item as well?
SPEAKER 02 :
Absolutely. You know, I always say the entertainment centers, the dressers, all of those items. First of all, we’ve got a lot of upcyclers out there who take these items, strip them of paint, sand them down, renew them, restore them, and resell them. A lot of people that make a living that way. And a lot of people that are looking to be a little more frugal as they, you know, make their homes look different and change them up for the season. And a fun project like this, we need those dressers, those entertainment centers, those Those armoires, those entertainment centers that are smaller and below your television, those things are always hot as well. Even desks.
SPEAKER 01 :
Now, they have to be in good condition, right? Any disclaimers, let’s do that now. Because if it’s a torn up couch, then that doesn’t help us, right?
SPEAKER 02 :
It definitely doesn’t help us. And it actually costs us money. It’s a great question, Mike. People don’t really realize that we really take recycling seriously. If you give us an item that is not sellable, 90% of the time we won’t take it. But the problem is that if we do, we end up having to pay to have it sent to the landfill. It costs us money. And it’s no fun at all. So really, you know, if it’s covered in cat hair and, you know, scratched up by the cat, that won’t work for us. But if it’s from a, you know, smoke-free house and it could be used by someone else, please, please send it our way. We will take good care of it and give it its second chapter of life.
SPEAKER 01 :
So let’s make this a good time just to, you know, in your basement, for example. Basement’s finished. You have a couch down there. You think, we need to replace this. Just, it’s in decent condition. Someone else can use it. That’s the key thing. If you wouldn’t buy it yourself, secondhand, don’t, then don’t go this route. This is not for you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Oh, what a great rule of thumb, Mike. I love that. If you wouldn’t use it yourself, then why would you donate it? That’s a really great rule of thumb. But, you know, Coloradans are so good at this. I’ve noticed… I talk to people all over the country on our podcast. And people in Colorado do donations better than anyone. Everyone’s so respectful. They really are generous with their donations. They think of us first before they just, you know, dump it in their front yard and put a free sign on it. They’re really generous with their quality pre-loved items. And people love shopping secondhand in Colorado as well. So I think people get it here, which is really a good thing for us, a great environment.
SPEAKER 01 :
We’re speaking with Maggie with Arc Thrift, and Maggie is our Arc Thrift expert because you’ve been there how many years?
SPEAKER 02 :
Are we allowed to say? Yeah, 14. Going on 14, Mike. We need to shout out my age. No, I’m kidding.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, we didn’t say anything about age. You noticed. That was very careful. And you and Lloyd Lewis, we’ve had Lloyd on many, many times, a lot of times with Angie and some of the ambassadors too. So our listeners should know Arc Thrift really well by now. And we talked about the furniture items. Electronics is another one that’s kind of sneaky that people don’t realize that you can use at Arc Thrift.
SPEAKER 02 :
Absolutely. You know, the only exception to that is we can’t take your flat screen TVs or your computer monitors, all other electronics and working condition we can take. And we have a great relationship with local Colorado recyclers that do an excellent job of making sure that if something cannot be used or sold on our sales floors, it’s recycled for other products or for parts. Again, I love Colorado for such a great environment for recycling. People care about it, and there’s a lot of other businesses out there that really do great work. In fact, we have partners that utilize people who are autistic to actually take apart some of their items. Our ambassadors are such a treasure in our store. We can’t do it without them. And they love you and Angie and coming to the station. We need to make that happen again. Our people with intellectual and developmental disabilities really are the heart of what we do.
SPEAKER 01 :
Yeah, let’s do that. Maybe next time we record, if we can somehow get an ambassador or two down here, it just helps our listeners say, oh, this is who I’m helping. I get it. Yeah. It’s more than just you go and you thrift. And that is great and wonderful. And you guys are the biggest recyclers in the entire state, which is crazy. So those things are all good. But the ambassadors, that’s why we really do this.
SPEAKER 02 :
Absolutely. So much more than just a thrift store.
SPEAKER 01 :
So electronic items, give us a few ideas. Is it the old stereo that still works great, that kind of thing, or something different? What’s that?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yes, the stereos, even the Walkmans and the Boomboxes and all of those sorts of things, but also your kitchen appliances as you upgrade. We’ll take your KitchenAids, your Ninjas, your Blenders. your toasters, your irons, all of those things, plus sports equipment. You know, it’s that time of year. We’re going into winter sports. Fall sports are over. The kids have grown out of their gear. Send it our way. We’ll give it a second life. And, you know, your kids can try out a new sport at not a lot of cost.
SPEAKER 01 :
So instead of paying, you know, who knows how much, but hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars at a store new, why not stop by Arc Thrift? And, Meg, you’ve told us this a lot of times. Go to a couple different stores. Geographically, they’re so well positioned. You can go to a couple different ones because each store is going to have different stuff.
SPEAKER 02 :
Absolutely. We like to say that our stores are a reflection of the neighborhood. And if you go over to Littleton, you’re seeing those mid-century modern pieces. You hit up Broomfield. We’re known for prom dresses in Broomfield, great suburban neighborhoods. So it’s really about what you’re looking for. And hopefully we can get that large furniture back into every single store. We have great furniture typically. So we’re really on the ask for that this season. And and hoping people can restock us with those items as they, you know, redo and refurbish their homes.
SPEAKER 01 :
So large furniture, that’s kind of our focus. We want to make sure that’s really clear. And have a couple bags, you know, have at least five or six bags. Whatever you can, you know, bring together, that’s important to have that supporting merchandise. Trust us.
SPEAKER 02 :
And, you know, we also, it’s that time of year with everything going on, that we’re asking for food again. You know, we’ll be kicking off our big food drive here in a couple months, but we start collecting now. So we, for free, we’ll pick up with your large furniture item. You know, if you’re cleaning out your pantry, those non-perishable food items as well, Mike. You know, we like to be a relief to our communities, and it’s important that we keep our food pantries stocked during this, you know, rough time of year.
SPEAKER 01 :
And can we bring food by the stores too? Is that a thing? Absolutely.
SPEAKER 02 :
Yes, every store will accept your non-perishable food items. We work with our partners at Volunteers of America to make sure that City Harvest Food Bank, 70 food pantries across the state are supplied with food all year long.
SPEAKER 01 :
So we talked with Jeffco Eats just recently, and the demand for food for not only the kids, which they kind of specialize in the kids that are in Jeffco in that school district, but these other food banks, they desperately need food. And just the way some of the food benefits are now at least temporarily discontinued, the food, that need has never been bigger. I’m not saying it very well, but you see what I mean. Yes.
SPEAKER 02 :
And, you know, your listeners are so generous with their donations. And just saying this on air with you, Mike, we will see an influx of food. People are so generous. They get it. They hear you. They hear your show, you and Angie, and they really step up to the plate. So couldn’t be more grateful with how generous your listeners are. So thank you.
SPEAKER 01 :
That’s such a blessing. Thanks. Thanks for saying that. And if somebody wants to give you, sometimes you need to buy food through Arc Thrift, too. Is that a thing?
SPEAKER 02 :
We just provide to nonprofits, so specifically volunteers, yeah. The best way to go is go through Volunteers of America, and if you need food, they can help you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Okay, so VOA. Our last couple minutes, Thanksgiving, Christmas. People will hear this before Thanksgiving. Are there any last-minute things that kind of make sense, and then talk about Christmas for a second, too?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yeah, you know, it is that time of year. We’re going to start ramping up our ugly Christmas sweaters. Our white elephant gifts will be out in force. You know, that’s really popular. But I just really, you know, our newest thing is really encouraging people to think about shopping secondhand for gifts. You know, it’s really going to be economically a tough season. Here’s an opportunity to go into one of our stores and get a gently loved mug that means something to you for a special friend or teacher. Maybe you brought by a new bag of coffee to go with it and you can really get creative and be on a budget and not overspend this season. So you’re not, you know, feeling the crunch after Christmas, like I went overboard and now I’ve got this big credit card bill. Here’s an opportunity to do something great for the environment. And I always say that a thrifted gift is really more meaningful. It takes time. It takes effort. And a lot of times you find something that like. That special friend you love that is obsessed like me with Dolly Parton and you find a mug with Dolly Parton on it or a fun saying. I mean, these things mean a lot. It’s a gift from the heart and it can really be more meaningful than a gift just bought retail.
SPEAKER 01 :
So Maggie, let’s close it up with this. This would be a great challenge is to talk to your family and say, all right, we’re going to do thrift gifts only. So you have to go to a thrift store. Our thrift would be our recommendation of choice. You can give the person some suggestions. You can still guide them, but it has to be a thrift gift. And then all the money you would have spent on new up and above that, give to the food bank because they desperately need your gift. Challenge, Mike.
SPEAKER 02 :
I love this. Challenge accepted. I love that. Thank you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Get out there. So large furniture items, that’s our main focus here. But also Arc Thrift has just about anything else you might need. And, you know, don’t go buy it new. That’s what we’re about is go there and check first. Yes. Arcthrift.com, right?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yes. Arcthrift.com, all the places. And please follow us on our social media, Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. You know, we’re opening a store in Glenwood here soon. We’re really excited about that. Glenwood Springs is going to be next on our radar. Before the end of the year, you’ll see a new store up there.
SPEAKER 01 :
Good. We’ll be on with you to talk about that. And, of course, people can make the trip. They’re going skiing out there. Just stop by the store and check it out. It’s arcthrift, A-R-C, thrift.com, Maggie. Maggie, thanks.
