Chad Drive Store wins the hearts of Grand Opening crowd
Author: SVdP Staff
Date: Friday, July 20 2012
More than 1,000 St. Vinnie’s customers packed the Chad Drive Store on July 19 to scoop up clothing and books at half price, enter to win a $10 gift certificate, and take a peek at St. Vincent de Paul’s newest retail thrift store.
Visitors stood shoulder to shoulder during opening remarks by Mike Favret, representing SVdP’s Board of Directors, and Lane County Commissioner Rob Handy, who cited the store as another entry on St. Vinnie’s long list of projects that salvage used or discarded items and materials and give them new life while creating jobs and relieving stress on the environment.
 |
| Ribbon cutters Mike Favret of the SVdP Board and Commissioner Rob Handy. |
 |
| Shoppers start pouring in. |
 |
| Oodles of jewelry delighted shoppers. |
Executive Director Terry McDonald was pleased to welcome the huge turnout of people who obviously came to shop rather than listen to him. He also commended the public-private partnerships that lend themselves to St. Vinnie’s various enterprises, and he thanked the members of Chad Drive LLC, the partnership that built and owns the former BLM building that previously sat vacant and deteriorating for nearly seven years.
He also commended the work of Heather Hannah Buch for supervising the renovation, and Sophia Bennett for orchestrating the move of over 50 staff members, furnishings and materials from SVdP’s former headquarters in west Eugene.
The overwhelming response by fans of St. Vinnie’s and curious neighbors generated bumper-to-bumper traffic in the area of 2890 Chad Drive and prompted the opening of a second parking lot.
Like all St. Vinnie's retail stores in Lane County and Albany, the Chad Drive Store has a place to donate clothing and other reusables. Each person who donates clothing or household goods at a donation center or attended donation site will receive a coupon good for 20 percent off one regularly priced item at any St. Vinnie’s store.
Eugene Register-Guard: St. Vinnie's New Digs
KLCC: St. Vinnie's Twelfth Thrift Store Opens Thursday
KEZI9: St. Vincent de Paul Opens on Chad Drive
Below, Chad Drive Store Manager Raj Pelon extends his appreciation to the customers and staff, customers share their thoughts on the new store, and a happy winner claims her $10 certificate.