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Starfish size scrutinized

The Starfish Second Hand Store was a matter of discussion at last Tuesday night’s budget meeting of Moorcroft’s council and department heads.

Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar, one of the MTC’s strongest advocates, reported that the enterprise has taken in “more money than we anticipated; we’re at 114 percent on revenues”. This number is, in part, due to the two percent raise in the leases and predominately from the Starfish.

Recognizing the hard work the MTC volunteers give to maintaining the second hand store, the governing body commended all of those who invest so much. However, issue has been taken with the ever increasing size of the store, which has now reached five and a half rooms, and the need to curtail the situation post haste.

Councilman Owen Mathews stated, “There has to be that balance, we’re bringing in more stuff then is ever going out.” He noted that the second hand store is a benefit to the town coffers and community, too, reiterating the need for balance.

“When I came on council two and a half years ago, there were two and a half rooms and now there are five and a half,” said Councilman Paul Smoot. He bases his concern on the increasing square footage the store is taking to manage the items they have accepted.

“We need to run it as a business and that means that the same stipulations that are in Gillette when you’re dropping things off has got to be here. That’s going to step on a lot of feet and hurt a lot of feelings. I’m sorry, but that’s how I look at it. A lot of things we’re accepting, we can’t accept any longer.”

Councilman Owen Mathews agreed overall, but noted the need to balance the revenue being brought in with the store with the need to display areas that are rentable properly.

“If you can come in and see a space that’s bare, it’s easier to see what you have for room. If it’s full, it’s harder to imagine,” he said.

“With that being said, if we look at the budget, we brought in half as much money with Starfish as we brought in through rentals.”

The store has brought in about $9536 thus far in the 2018/19 fiscal year while rentals have made $15,495.

The Mayor admitted to some prejudice regarding the building as he and wife Johnny Faye have been staunch supporters and volunteers for the last few years. “We don’t have people beating the door down trying to get in those rooms,” he said.

He reiterated that if the leasee, Bearlodge Physical Therapy, decides to expand, which the organization has previously mentioned to the mayor, “We’ll let them expand, I don’t care what room they want to go into.”

The governing body unanimously agreed with guest John Alloisio, who said, “There is a clear need in this community for that [store] to continue. I would really support what the mayor is saying that this is a service for the community. Based on the usage, it is extraordinarily valued.”

Mathews suggested, like Smoot, the need to “thin that stuff out” before any more drastic options are considered. “I don’t think anybody here thinks it hasn’t been beneficial, but if we don’t get it under control, it could be a problem.” This idea was approved by the mayor.

Smoot gave the assembly more to think about for future direction of the store, “We haven’t even looked into the consignment side of things and if you did, you’ll have people bringing in higher quality stuff because they’re going to want to sell it and make a little money on it.”

He suggested scrutinizing the items including the clothing and separating the articles that are of a quality that could sell at a consignment level. The individuals who bring these items in can be offered a percentage of the sale, thus raising the bar.

With a better understanding of how the council wants to move forward with the Starfish Second Hand Store, Claar spoke with the council about his wish to see a percentage of the revenue generated from the Starfish returned to the MTC for use by the board for the care of the building. The possibility will be further considered as the budget is set.

 
 
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