Lack of profits may force RMPJC thrift store to close

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Rockin’ Betty’s, the thrift store opened by the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center last October, will have to shut its doors at the end of June if it doesn’t turn a profit this month.

The store, located near Lucky’s Market at North Broadway and Quince Avenue, was named for RMPJC co-administrator Betty Ball and was intended to generate money to help support the center.

But Ball says the opposite has been true, and while the store is close to breaking even, the RMPJC can no longer afford to subsidize it, especially since donations to the center are down by $20,000 compared to this time last year.

Ball and fellow staffer Carolyn Bninski have agreed to work without pay.

“We’ll be able to squeak by if we don’t have the store and we’re not paying rent on this space and not paying our salaries,” Ball says. “It’s got to demonstrate that it’s contributing to the Peace Center.”

The store is having a “Keep Rockin’ Betty’s in Business Sale” this month, inviting patrons to fill a store bag with as many items as they want for only $10. Kids can fill a bag for $6.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends.

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