POG to open its doors Thursday
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Ron Hubbard with Pot O’ Gold shows off some of kitchenware items in one of the many rooms organized by volunteers. Ashley Barner/Meridian Tribune -
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Top, several bookshelves are filled with books in the book room at Pot O’ Gold. Bottom, Pot O’ Gold only began accepting donations again over the past two weeks, but inventory quickly piled up. Ashley Barner/Meridian Tribune
Everyone’s favorite resale shop is about ready to open back up for business. The Pot O’ Gold closed last March amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but will open its doors for the first time in a year on Thursday, March 11 at 10 a.m.
“We’ve been very anxious to reopen,” said volunteer Ron Hubbard.
Volunteers have put a lot of planning and prep work in to get ready for the big day, cleaning and sanitizing the entire building and clearing out a lot of the old inventory.
“About two months ago we cleaned out a lot of our stock. We donated it to Salvation Army and Goodwill and auctioned off some of the better items,” said Hubbard.
Over the last two weeks, Pot O’ Gold began accepting donations again, and amassed a large quantity of items in that short period of time.
“We can usually process all the donations in about a day, but this probably won’t be ready by Thursday,” said Hubbard.
Pot O’ Gold has a little over 40 volunteers working throughout the building, processing donations and organizing rooms.
“This is really a social event for the volunteers,” said Hubbard. “We enjoy visiting with each other and the customers who come in.”
Pot O’ Gold has a little bit of everything, separated into rooms to keep things organized. There are kitchen items like dishes and appliances, men’s and women’s clothing, children’s clothing, toys, electronics, furniture and a book room that could rival a library.
“We’ve been getting a lot of emails and questions,” said Hubbard. “We’re expecting a huge crowd.”
That being said, Pot O’ Gold, which is under the guidance of Lutheran Sunset Ministries, will still require the use of face masks and social distancing.
“Most of the volunteers have had their shots, but we want to make sure we keep everyone safe,” said Hubbard.
Doors will open at 10 a.m. Thursday and Pot O’ Gold plans to return to their normal schedule, opening every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donations can be dropped off at the back door at any time as a volunteer checks the site twice a day to move stock inside.
Because there is such a constant influx of donations, items are priced to move. Sales benefit the residents at Lutheran Sunset Ministries, so be sure to stop by and check it out!