ROSE Advocates Thrifty Boutique now open

ROSE Advocates recently held a grand opening to celebrate its new location, which comes with a new name, “Rose Advocates Thrifty Boutique.”

 The store, previously located at 27 W. Main St., is now located at 181 E. Commercial St. in Weiser. 

 “We’ve had people coming in today,” said volunteer Kelly Harlan who, along with lead volunteer Nancy Miller, led the almost overwhelming job of moving the store, which took weeks.

 “They have a terrific working area and they needed that desperately,” said former ROSE Advocates Executive Director, Dolores Larsen, who recently retired after 25 years at the organization’s helm.

 Larsen officially introduced long-time right-hand woman, Veronica Vasquez, as her replacement during ROSE Advocates’ annual benefit dinner held in October. Larsen will still serve as a consultant.

 “This store is strictly run by volunteers,” she said. “Nancy (Miller) has been doing this for many years now and she has done an amazing job.”

 The new store is comparable in size to the previous location, but is brighter, better laid out, and more aesthetically pleasing. It features separate book, linen, children’s, and houseware rooms. It also has a more substantial fitting room in addition to improved restroom and break facilities for volunteers.

 There is also more ample and convenient parking for patrons.

 The Thrifty Boutique plays an important role in ROSE Advocates’ mission to provide support services to victims of sexual and domestic abuse.

 Although the store is meant to provide clothing, shoes, linens, kitchen wares and other low-cost items to victims who are trying to put their lives back together, it is open to everyone.

 The price of living is skyrocketing, with the national inflation rate at a 40-year high of 8.3 percent as of September, sending more people looking to fit every day needs into ever-shrinking budgets. And ROSE Advocates Thrifty Boutique is as reasonably priced as it gets, often providing name-brand items for just a few dollars.

 All proceeds benefit ROSE Advocates support services.