LAUGHLIN — Oct 28, 2020 The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River will host the grand opening of the new Laughlin thrift store in the Laughlin Outlet Mall at 10 a.m. Friday.
Ten-dollar gift certificates will be given to the first 50 shoppers. There will be giveaways and refreshments. Guests will be welcomed to shop the large selection of clothes, collectibles, housewares, books, and toys. The Laughlin store also will house some of the more high-end art, antiques and fine jewelry.
“We have quite the collection of high-end items, including Cartier sunglasses, Coach bags, fine jewelry, and fantastic antiques. We are looking forward to being a part of the mall and working with both the locals and the tourists,” Autumn Boyle-Robinson Club CEO.
It has been a challenging year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River. While schools closed, the club remained open for the most vulnerable children of the area. For the Club, this meant long days and increased costs. COVID-19 forced the club to cancel most of its fundraising events, putting a financial strain on the club. The Bullhead and Fort Mohave Thrift Stores were a shining star for the clubs, bringing in much-needed income to cover the expenses of the youth development programs.
The opening of a new Laughlin location was decided based on receiving a partial grant provided by the Clark County Community Initiative Outside Agency Grant to open a Teen Center in Laughlin. Based on the Bullhead City model’s success, the club administration decided to open a combination teen center and thrift store. Having the thrift store attached to the teen center allows for on-site workforce readiness programs and genuinely connects the benefits of the store to the local community. After reaching out to the Laughlin Outlet Mall and being welcomed with open arms, the plans started to take place. The goal is to open Laughlin Teen Center in mid-December.
“When you shop or donate at one of our thrift stores, your purchases provide sports equipment, art supplies, and positive, safe space for local kids. Our Club Thrift Stores strive to provide the community with a place to shop for well-priced, quality items with all of the proceeds staying local and supporting our local community,” said Crystal Olsen, thrift store manager.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River Thrift Stores are always looking for volunteers to join the thrift store family. The stores operate with a team of volunteers and a small team of employees who work in tandem to keep the flow of donations moving to the sales floor. Individuals interested in volunteering are encouraged to reach call 928-763-1411 to start the process.
The Bullhead Thrift Store is at 967 Hancock Road next door to Tractor Supply and the Fort Mohave Store is at 4705 Highway 95 in the Smith’s Shopping Center. Both locations are open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations can be dropped off at either location or if you need furniture picked up, call 928-704-8797.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Colorado River is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
The clubs have four locations; 2250 Highland Road in Bullhead City, 1975 Arie Ave. in Laughlin, 1419 Willow Drive in Mohave Valley and the thrift store/teen center at 967 Hancock Road in Bullhead City.