02/09/2025
Thrift Store Closing Announcement
This is an announcement I hoped I wouldn't have to make, but present circumstances have left us with no other responsible choice. To ensure that Art 145 can stay open, we will be shutting down our thrift store permanently as of March 2, 2025. Until that time we will be open and operating as normal, with all of our store items heavily discounted. We will also no longer be accepting donations after today, February 9th. Art 145 itself is NOT closing and will continue to be a supportive creator's space at the heart of Superior.
Due to the upcoming Main Street resurfacing project, the uncertainty of federal funding availability, and my own current personal circumstances, there is no longer a path forward in which the store component will be anything other than a financial burden on Art 145.
When we embarked on this project, we envisioned a place where we could reduce financial and environmental burden in Pinal county while simultaneously funding arts and cultural engagement for Superior. Over the course of the year, I feel we have been very successful in doing just that. The flow of donated items has been almost constant, so we have never once been concerned with whether or not we would be able to keep our shelves stocked. We assisted local residents with property cleanups, helped secure housing for a disabled veteran, and reunited a few folks with items they had lost. The additional resources enabled us to expand our class curriculum at Art 145, which is currently at an all-time high for studio membership. We are making new friends and building the creative enclave we always dreamed of, and could not be more grateful for that.
Unfortunately, even after working with other local organizations, evaluating other locations, negotiating with our landlord and keeping exactly zero dollars for ourselves, we still have not been able to reliably get our operating cost under our monthly income, which has resulted in Maya and myself paying the difference out of our own pockets. With significantly reduced tourist traffic due to intermittent highway road closures, and the upcoming resurfacing of Main Street guaranteeing even fewer feet in the door during what would typically be our busiest season, this disparity is sure to do nothing but increase. In short, this business model is no longer sustainable.
The intent has always been to become a non-profit organization, which would open the doors for paid staff, volunteer resources, grant funding and tax-deductible donations. This is still the intent for Art 145 Studio. By reducing our operating costs by half, we make way for the studio to continue enriching the community as an entirely member-supported organization until we achieve non-profit status, even without financial assistance.
Almost all of the feedback we have received from the community throughout the year has been positive. This project has been enormously beneficial for me spiritually, and has been entirely worth the financial cost. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported us in this endeavor, and I hope you will continue to support Art145 through this transition and beyond. Truly and sincerely, thank you everyone.
Lane
