Grant gets new thrift store project in GEAR

By Kathrin Chavez
Staff Writer

FRANKLIN — With a new thrift store in town, Dave Krikac has found an answer for those who have difficulty buying and those who have difficulty finding work.

Our Thrift Store is scheduled to open June 1 at 1018 Columbia Ave., next to AutoZone in the H.G. Hill shopping plaza.

The store is a project of The GEAR Foundation, established earlier this year to find employment for adults with disabilities.

Krikac established the foundation when he realized his daughter, Sara, 21, would be graduating this year. Her mental function is on a 12-year-old level, and he knew she would have difficulty finding a job. GEAR stands for Gainful Employment And Respect.

In addition to contracting with employers to obtain positions for foundation participants, Krikac had a dream of starting a thrift store to raise money for projects and to provide training and jobs for young adults with special needs.

When the opportunity to rent the space for a year from H.G. Hill Realty arose, Krikac was delighted. The rent is nominal, but the space needed a lot of repair and cleaning. Bootstrapping the operation himself meant that not much money was available.

Then, just in time, the foundation received a $5,000 grant from Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation's Operation Round Up program.

The location is perfect, Krikac said. It has high visibility and plenty of parking, and is on the trolley line for convenience for workers and shoppers.

And more funding help is coming this month with a special sale at Keith A. Miller Oriental Rugs, 4434 Harding Pike in H.G. Hill Shopping Plaza in Nashville. Proceeds from the sale of high-end designer pieces May 14 and 15 will go to the foundation. The sale will include wine, food and music by pianist Mimi Johnson.

Krikac and volunteers are now cleaning and polishing the floors, painting the walls and collecting items to sell.

''We want to keep it fairly upscale, shabby chic. We're going to have a little bit of everything in here,'' Krikac said.

One air conditioner has been repaired, and he hopes soon to have another fixed. The most immediate need is a handicapped-accessible bathroom. The only restroom in the store is up a steep flight of stairs.

''I'm praying to have it by the time we open. I know it's going to happen. It's been humbling how things have worked out. Before, I had the building, but I didn't have the money to get into the place. Having Middle Tennessee Electric's grant, now we're in the building. I know that bathroom is going to be built,'' he said.

The store also has about 3,000 square feet of space upstairs. Krikac plans to use that for shipping and other employment projects.

The store will have clothing, furniture, appliances and other items. The rear of the 7,000-square-foot space will be used for storage and training in using cleaning equipment. The foundation was recently asked to bid for floor polishing jobs at five Publix stores, Krikac said.

''We're going to call it Our Thrift Store. It's something the kids can call their own,'' he said.

A grand-opening celebration is scheduled for June 5. Store hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

By then, Krikac hopes to have the store in good shape, including inspirational sayings on the walls to keep workers and shoppers mindful of hope and possibility.

''Phrases like 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' We want this to be a place where anything can happen.''