Volunteer gets 'retail fix' at Bargain Center
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, November 12, 2007
After spending more than two decades in the retail industry, Luann Bertrand found her "retail fix" by volunteering at an agency which financially supports the Sioux City Catholic schools.
"I just felt compelled to straighten hangers every now and then," she joked.
Bertrand became associated with the Catholic Women's League Bargain Center, 1001 W. 7th St., not long after she retired.
"I was at a water aerobics class and had put my name out there that I was looking for some volunteer work," she recalled. "One of the other participants starting talking about how much fun everyone had at the Bargain Center."
Then, she added with a grin, "And I only volunteer where I can have fun."
The Bargain Center, operated by the Catholic Women's League, was originally established in 1911 to help the needy of Sioux City. After Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City came into being, the League decided to change its focus and opened its first thrift store in 1952.
The venture was so successful that it moved four times, each time to larger quarters. In 1960 the board purchased a vacant service station on the present property. When that proved inadequate, the present store was constructed in 1976.
But again the store outgrew its space and began an addition and remodeling project this year. Halman Construction served as the general contractor. The merchandise has been moved into the new, 3,000-square-foot space, and renovation is in its final stages right now. That will enable the entire operation to move into its 5,000-square-feet facility that will be open to the public the day after Thanksgiving, Bertrand said.
"It's like Christmas in here," she noted, gesturing around. "We have carpeting for the first time and we have almost all of the merchandise on hangers."
The old Bargain Center had a lot of clothing in 3-foot high bins, due to lack of display space. That may be handy to store items, but not so good for customers, Bertrand said.
"Those bins are still used, but now for linens, bedding, pillows," she said.
For the first time, the Bargain Center will display formal wear because of the enlarged space. A small selection of furniture will be out on the floor, something that could not be done before the addition, Bertrand said.
"We can expand our baby department now, as well," she said. "People have brought in new and used items in the past and we just haven't had the room to put all the items out."
Bertrand, who turns 61 on Wednesday, praised the donors who "have provided us with some wonderful items" for sale.
"We love our donors," she said. "And this expansion project had been so necessary for us with sales increasing and our mission to support the Catholic schools."
Bertrand, who serves on the board of the Catholic Women's League, estimated the group donated about $100,000 each year to benefit the parochial schools.
"I think at one of our last meetings it was reported that since 1990, we have donated over $1.5 million to the Catholic schools," she added.
The group is also supportive of about 14 other Siouxland agencies, as varied as the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and Birthright of Siouxland.
The Bargain Center's hours and days of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Space, at a premium before, now includes a sorting area, where the all-volunteer corps can take the clothing, antiques, toys, books, collectibles or any other donations and have some elbow-room to evaluate and examine donations, Bertrand said, enabling the merchandise to almost be set out the same day it comes in.
"We've always had a lot of holiday merchandise that needed its own space," Bertrand explained. "Now we will have one area which will be the Christmas room and one volunteer in charge of it."
With exuberance, she punctuated, "And shelving! We have shelving!"
Joanne Fox may be reached at (712) 293-4247 or joannefox@siouxcityjournal.com.
VITA
Name: Luann Bertrand
Hometown: Sioux City
Education: 1964 graduate of Heelan High School
Professional: Retail, banking and real estate; spent 20 years at Sears Roebuck Co.; retired "officially" last November
Personal: Married to husband Bob since 1965; three children; two grandchildren, another expected in February
How she's making a difference: By donating her time to the Catholic Women's League Bargain Center
"I just felt compelled to straighten hangers every now and then," she joked.
Bertrand became associated with the Catholic Women's League Bargain Center, 1001 W. 7th St., not long after she retired.
"I was at a water aerobics class and had put my name out there that I was looking for some volunteer work," she recalled. "One of the other participants starting talking about how much fun everyone had at the Bargain Center."
Then, she added with a grin, "And I only volunteer where I can have fun."
The Bargain Center, operated by the Catholic Women's League, was originally established in 1911 to help the needy of Sioux City. After Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City came into being, the League decided to change its focus and opened its first thrift store in 1952.
The venture was so successful that it moved four times, each time to larger quarters. In 1960 the board purchased a vacant service station on the present property. When that proved inadequate, the present store was constructed in 1976.
But again the store outgrew its space and began an addition and remodeling project this year. Halman Construction served as the general contractor. The merchandise has been moved into the new, 3,000-square-foot space, and renovation is in its final stages right now. That will enable the entire operation to move into its 5,000-square-feet facility that will be open to the public the day after Thanksgiving, Bertrand said.
"It's like Christmas in here," she noted, gesturing around. "We have carpeting for the first time and we have almost all of the merchandise on hangers."
The old Bargain Center had a lot of clothing in 3-foot high bins, due to lack of display space. That may be handy to store items, but not so good for customers, Bertrand said.
"Those bins are still used, but now for linens, bedding, pillows," she said.
For the first time, the Bargain Center will display formal wear because of the enlarged space. A small selection of furniture will be out on the floor, something that could not be done before the addition, Bertrand said.
"We can expand our baby department now, as well," she said. "People have brought in new and used items in the past and we just haven't had the room to put all the items out."
Bertrand, who turns 61 on Wednesday, praised the donors who "have provided us with some wonderful items" for sale.
"We love our donors," she said. "And this expansion project had been so necessary for us with sales increasing and our mission to support the Catholic schools."
Bertrand, who serves on the board of the Catholic Women's League, estimated the group donated about $100,000 each year to benefit the parochial schools.
"I think at one of our last meetings it was reported that since 1990, we have donated over $1.5 million to the Catholic schools," she added.
The group is also supportive of about 14 other Siouxland agencies, as varied as the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and Birthright of Siouxland.
The Bargain Center's hours and days of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Space, at a premium before, now includes a sorting area, where the all-volunteer corps can take the clothing, antiques, toys, books, collectibles or any other donations and have some elbow-room to evaluate and examine donations, Bertrand said, enabling the merchandise to almost be set out the same day it comes in.
"We've always had a lot of holiday merchandise that needed its own space," Bertrand explained. "Now we will have one area which will be the Christmas room and one volunteer in charge of it."
With exuberance, she punctuated, "And shelving! We have shelving!"
Joanne Fox may be reached at (712) 293-4247 or joannefox@siouxcityjournal.com.
VITA
Name: Luann Bertrand
Hometown: Sioux City
Education: 1964 graduate of Heelan High School
Professional: Retail, banking and real estate; spent 20 years at Sears Roebuck Co.; retired "officially" last November
Personal: Married to husband Bob since 1965; three children; two grandchildren, another expected in February
How she's making a difference: By donating her time to the Catholic Women's League Bargain Center
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