REPORTER
Mercer Island
Wednesday, JULY 11, 2012 | 75¢
Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947
Reed inspires for ‘Flash Award’
Summer at last
Summer Celebration this weekend This weekend, the City of Mercer Island’s annual Summer Celebration festival will take place in and around the Town Center. The “Olympic Spirit”-themed Grand Parade begins at 10 a.m. Visit the Reporter’s booth on Saturday and Sunday for the chance to win one of three framed Reporter photos. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and will have free goodies to give away. For more, go to www.mercergov.org.
Pauline Reed (Mackay) chosen for the 2012 Flash Family Inspirational Award By Reporter Staff
South end cash mob On Thursday, July 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mercer Village Shopping Center on the South end, Islanders can participate in a ‘cash mob’ to help local small businesses. Shoppers are encouraged to stop by for dinner, dessert or even just a coffee or hot chocolate.
Shakespeare in the Park this Thursday Shakespeare in the Park begins on Thursday, July 12, with a performance of “A Winter’s Tale” at Luther Burbank Park at 7 p.m. Learn more at www.mercergov. org/calendar.
[more-online www.MI-Reporter.com
Megan Managan/Staff Photo
Sunbathers soak up what would become the first of many sunny days on Mercer Island on Thursday, July 5, as a sailboat passes in the background. Temperatures hit the highest of the year over the weekend.
Bargain hunters come from afar Islanders spend the most at the Island Thrift Shop By Mary L. Grady
editor@mi-reporter.com
Shoppers come from Duvall, Dupont and Des Moines to shop at the Mercer Island Thrift Shop, which has proved to be a gold mine for the City of Mercer Island. The store, which originally began in 1975 as a rummage sale to benefit Youth and Family Services, has thrived, bringing in an average profit of $500,000 each year since 2007. For the most recent 12 months ending in May, the store grossed $985,000. According to figures from the
city, the store’s profit margin has been at or above 59 percent each year, with the margin in 2011 at 68 percent. All funds are put toward paying for the City of Mercer Island’s Youth & Family Services department. The store relies largely on volunteers to operate the shop. The city employs one regular fulltime, exempt employee and two contract employees to manage the store. According to Suzanne Philen, the city’s coordinator for the shop, the store had 140 volunteers involved with the shop this past year. About 60 to 65 are who she calls her “core” volunteers. Volunteers include retired
Island residents as well as students from Island schools, and Bellevue College, earning public service credits or part time pay. Over the past four years, shoppers have been asked their ZIP code when they check out. The data indicate that shoppers come from places as far away as Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, Lynnwood and Federal Way. And just which shoppers spend the most at the store that sells high-end castoffs from Island residents? Well, Islanders do. Islanders alone spent $620,000 at the store during the 12 months ending this past May — roughly $75 per household; a whopping one-third increase over the amount spent during the 12 months ending in May of 2008. Interest in the thrift store from surrounding communities has increased over time as well. Shoppers from Bellevue ZIP
Thrift | Page 8
Reed | Page 2
REPORTER
Once again, Islander military veterans will lead Mercer Island’s Summer Celebration Grand Parade through the Town Center on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. They will march to the entrance of Mercerdale Park to gather at the Veterans Memorial Pergola. There will be a presentation of the VFW Blue Star Banner and live music by the Dave Irish Combo.
Mercer Island
Honor vets at Mercerdale Park
The Flash Family Inspirational Award was established in 2009 by the community artist and activist Phil Flash to honor a Mercer Island senior adult who exemplifies the spirit of good sportsmanship or community leadership and who possesses an optimistic attitude and friendly demeanor while acting as a role model to others. Pauline Reed (Mackay) exemplifies these qualities. Reed moved to Mercer Island in 1967. Her first community involvement was through the Mercer
One year $39, two years just $59
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