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Two months ago, the former Luverne Kawasaki building was a flurry of sheet rock dust and paint primer.
Now, the newly remodeled building is home to ATLAS Ministry Center, home of Redeemed Remnants second-hand store, Rock County ATLAS for Life, and their related causes and ministries.
Among them are New Life Celebration Church, the food ministry and more.
Since the April 15 ribbon-cutting celebration, the location has been abuzz with workers, shoppers, donors, worshippers and others coming and going from the large parking lot and adjacent alley.
Mostly, organizers are pleased to be turning over merchandise and making a profit — to the tune of roughly $1,000 per day.
In the former Redeemed Remnants location on East Main Street, $500 day was a good day, according to ATLAS Board president Brenda Winter.
“That was the whole goal,” she said, “to have a place for people to bring things, a place for people get things and to support ATLAS.”
More space means more profit to benefit ATLAS
The 10,000-square-foot Kawasaki building is an improvement over the store’s previous 2,300-square foot space downtown primarily because there is more space for larger, higher-dollar items like furniture and appliances.
A typical month’s profit in the former space was $10,000.
“Last month we made $14,000, and we were closed for a week,” Winter said.
She points to the spacious back room where volunteers sort donations. The good, gently used items get sent on to volunteers who get them ready for sale.
Items that are more used and worn get donated to Savers or Justice For All to be given away.
Clothing items that are damaged or stained get shredded for insulation.
Winter said the rapid turnover of donations and sales is dizzying.
“They get things put away, and five more bags come in,” she said. “The cool stuff is in and out in minutes.”
Store manager Greg Hoogeveen has worked with Redeemed Remnants for three years and said the past few months have been a whirlwind.
“It keeps growing,” he said. “It’s really taken off.”
He said he enjoys seeing community generosity and selling items to benefit ATLAS.
“We get anything and everything,” he said, pointing out used high school sporting goods, home electronics, decor and furniture.
When asked if he had anything in stock that was particularly intriguing, he headed toward an aisle with a vintage steamer trunk and stopped.
“Oh. I guess we sold it,” he smiled.
To price things he’s not familiar with, Hoogeveen said he checks Google, eBay, Etsy and other sites.
Some unique items he sells directly online to get a better price from a wider range of shoppers.
When he gets a chance, he shares images of new items for sale on the Redeemed Remnants Facebook page.
Also, he encourages people to call if they questions about how to donate. The number is 507-449-6101.
All donations are accepted at the Redeemed Remnants alley doors toward the east end of the alley on the north side of the building.
‘Meant to be’
Hoogeveen said he enjoys the work and the satisfaction of dealing with generous people and seeing the store help ATLAS and its missions.
Lately, he said he’s just in awe of the progress made in a short period of time.
“A year ago we were in a pandemic, and to even think that we’d have this store only a year later … to financially be able to do it,” Hoogeveen said. “Everything is amazing.”
He said he and ATLAS staff and board members prayed about the big decisions to sell the other building and buy the Kawasaki building, and it’s been reaffirming to measure the success.
“We had so many good things happen, it’s all just pointing in the direction that we’ve done the right thing,” he said.
“When we were building in here, it worked. It was amazing. With this and the volunteers, there’s so much support. It was meant to be.”