Deserving Better…
Getting to watch the thrift store this past week has been amazing. Hearing people's reactions has validated the true need for a thrift store in Portland. We have had a ton of neighbor’s show up to support us, we have seen a lot of neighbors come multiple times, we have had neighbors show up every day of the week, trying to find out when the next time we will be open is. A lot of our neighbors who are regulars at Porkland have come to Merriment to check it out as well.
One of our Porkland regulars is named Mr. Mark. He is one of our first customers every week. He tends to beat the lunch rush and so we usually get to have a good conversation each week. He is over 70 years old and makes it a point to walk over 5 miles a day. He always tells me about the pieces of Portland that he misses, the small businesses, the family atmosphere, the same things that everyone else who has lived in Portland for over 50 years say they miss. The same things that we are trying to restore at Love City. When I told Mr. Mark we were opening up a new thrift shop, I knew that he would be there to check it out as soon as he could.
Friend and Former Porkland Chef Paiman stopped by to check out Merriment
Sure enough, the very next day, Mr. Mark stopped in to check it out. It was very busy when he stopped by and we didn’t get to chat for long but when he was checking out he said, “this is the most beautiful store I have seen in this neighborhood, it has exceeded all the expectations I had when you were telling me about it”. That sentence underlines what we are trying to change in Portland, we want our neighbors to raise their expectations where a beautiful shop isn’t the exception, it is the standard.
For too long our neighborhood has been shown that the restaurants we deserve are McDonalds and Little Caesars, that the stores we deserve are unkept dollar stores. The problem is that ‘affordable’ was switched out with ‘cheap’ for the benefit of big chain stores. Neighbors who have lived in the neighborhood for many decades, like Mr. Mark, saw the way things could be, but they have gone so long without seeing it in our neighborhood that even they have started to lower their expectations. Merriment is meant to re-establish the standard.
Merriment is a shop that looks nice, with quality goods, and affordable prices. It is not a cheap shop, it is affordable. It is us reinforcing the mindset of the neighborhood that we deserve better. Better restaurants, better shops, better education, better… We deserve better, Merriment is another way that we are able to help reinforce that mindset in our neighborhood, and remind ourselves of the standards in the Kingdom of God.
Ethan
Merriment!!!
Merriment is open for business Thursday and Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday from 11am-4pm. Donations can be dropped off Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-4pm. If you have any questions or to confirm a drop off time please call (502) 901-1105. We hope to see you soon!!
Open Enrollment!!!
Mighty Oak has opened our enrollment for the year. If you or someone you know has a student in grades K-9 you can apply now. Remember, applicants must live in the Portland. All grade levels of students will be evaluated but there will not be space for every student that applies. APPLY NOW!!!
Fish Fry OPEN!!!
Stop by the Fish Fry to grab lunch, or bring the family for dinner. Churched Up Tots or a Fried Fish Sandwich. However you do it, We’d love to see you!!!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.