Resident pitches nonprofit thrift store 'Paint the Way Thrift,' seeks city lease and deferred deposit

Barbara Brown introduced Paint the Way Thrift, a proposed nonprofit thrift store, during public comment at the Price City Council meeting on Feb. 12 and asked the council to lease a portion of a city-owned building east of Carbon Avenue for use as the store.

Brown said the thrift store would repurpose donated goods, provide affordable shopping and reinvest profits into local improvement projects such as sidewalk repairs and landscaping. "Within 6 months, we project sales of 9,000 per month, with half of that covering expenses and the rest going directly back into the community," Brown told the council. She asked the city to provide the building at no cost for the first month and to defer the $2,000 deposit until six months into a one-year lease to give the nonprofit time to establish operations.

Council members and staff clarified process and jurisdiction. A council speaker noted the building is under the authority of the BTAC board and told Brown the board handles lease and fee decisions for that property. Council members advised Brown to present the proposal to the BTAC board; the council record shows a BTAC meeting scheduled for Feb. 25. Brown said she has also engaged with the Community Development Corporation about partnering on the project and had reviewed the building and utilities with a staff member named Paula.

No formal council action was taken on the request during the meeting. Brown left material with the council and indicated willingness to meet staff and board members to advance the proposal.

Ending: Brown was advised to bring her proposal to the BTAC board and to follow up with city staff and the Community Development Corporation for lease details and any fee-waiver requests.