The LoFT in Duluth Making Seniors Smile with a Special Shopping Day

By Andrea Busche

Laurie

Gillen, owner of The LoFT in Duluth, a better brands consignment store which also offers men’s tuxedo rental, is above all a businesswoman. She has bills to pay and five employees to think about. But she has a soft spot in her heart for the less fortunate, particularly the elderly.

So, when the opportunity arose to outfit several senior ladies, who are residents at Augustana Mercy Care Center in Moose Lake, with beautiful new garments – free of charge – she jumped at the chance. The first “Smile Event” was a smash hit, so Gillen plans to make it an ongoing affair.

The LoFT

The LoFT in Duluth, which has been open for five years, is located at 1709 Mall Drive – directly above Bella Rose Bridal. Gillen and her staff run their “better brands” consignment shop like a boutique – clients must make appointments in advance, and any clothing item they wish to consign must be in new or like-new condition, freshly laundered, and either folded neatly or hung on a hanger at the time it is brought in.

Gladys Jepson, a resident at Augustana Mercy Care Center in Moose Lake, and her daughter, Kay, enjoy selecting garments from the LoFT's first Smile Event.

The store accepts jeans, blouses, dress pants, workout wear, dresses, shoes, handbags, and a variety of accessories. However, it must also be a high-quality brand.

But, to tell the truth, the LoFT rejects the vast majority of items.

“We’re pretty picky,” Gillen said.

If Gillen and her team select an item, the customer signs a document stating their item will be up for sale in the shop for 60 days. After that, if the item sells, the customer can choose to receive either a check or store credit for 50 percent of the sale price or, if it doesn’t sell, they can retrieve their item. The document also states if the client doesn’t retrieve their unsold item, it may be donated to charity.

Most clients are very happy with this agreement.

“People in our area are very generous,” Gillen said. “Especially for those in need. Most people are happy that someone else will enjoy their item, and it also declutters their closet.”

Smile Event

As each 60-day contract expired, Gillen was ending up with a lot of surrendered/donated clothing items. The LoFT has done several donations to the Safe Haven Shelter, Damiano Center, and other local non-profits. But it was a customer who sparked the idea for donations to elders in assisted living.

“How we ended up partnering with nursing homes was kind of ironic,” Gillen said. “A customer came in who had just visited her mom in a nursing home. She saw a lady who always seemed to be wearing the same two blouses. My customer asked me, ‘Is there anyone we could talk to about donating there?’ I have a soft place in my heart for older people, so I loved the idea.”

Thus, the idea for the “Smile Event” was born.

Sadly, residents at senior living

Continued on page 22 facilities often don’t receive any visitors, let alone get to go shopping for new clothing.

“We were there to make those ladies smile,” Gillen said. Thus, this special day became known as the Smile Event.

The first Smile Event was held May 8 at Augustana Mercy Care Center in Moose Lake. Gillen and her team set up racks and tables full of beautiful clothing, along with balloons, smileyface stickers, and shopping bags assigned to each resident. There was even coffee and cookies to help make it a real celebration.

Each resident had a wonderful time “shopping,” and filling their bags with beautiful, high-end clothing. The residents and their families offered to pay for the items, but Gillen refused. A few of them insisted, however, and Gillen used the money collected to purchase personal care items for the Safe Haven Shelter.

A new tradition

Afterwards, Gillen received several beautiful thank you notes from

Augustana staff and residents alike. The Smile Event was such a success that Gillen has decided to make it an ongoing occurrence. The next Smile Event will be held in September at Edgewood Vista in Hermantown.

Gillen believes that a beautiful new outfit can lift anyone’s spirits, but particularly those who are elderly, down on their luck, or otherwise less fortunate.

“People feel better about themselves if they can put something on that makes them feel good,” she said. “And, I get a lot out of it, knowing it’s going to put a smile on someone’s face.” D

To nominate a non-profit organization for a future Smile Event, please contact The LoFT in Duluth at 218-591-2762.

Dr.Thornton received hermedical degree from MorehouseSchoolof Medicine,completed herresidency at Emor yUniversit yHospital,and ranher ownpracticeinAtlanta beforejoining CMH.

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