Broadway Bargains
Location: 108 S. Thompson Ave.
Store Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Phone: 816-637-7424
 GSC operates a retail thrift store where the general public can buy good, used clothing and household items for a reasonable cost. GSC clients with no money are given vouchers for things they need. The store provides training in job skills for seniors over 55 via the Title 5 Program. Profits from the business go to support GSC programs.
"Price Chopper conducts this golf tournament to support Excelsior Springs and we choose to be involved with Good Samaritan Center because of the services that Good Sam provides for the people of the area," said McKeever.
Bargain Furniture
Location: 449 S. Thompson Ave.
Store Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Phone: 816-630-1100
GSC operates an outlet furniture store containing new furniture with minor "dings" that prohibit its being sold on a regular retail floor, unblemished furniture that has not sold in retail market, high quality gently used furniture, and a variety of decorating accessories. All proceeds go to GSC operating costs.
Retail History
In the beginning, the Good Samaritan began distributing clothing to clients on a limited basis from their original location on Broadway. A small room in the basement held four or five boxes of donated clothing that was given to people who needed a shirt or pair of pants to wear to work. It quickly became apparent that the demand for this was great. With the idea in mind of better serving their clients needs, the Good Samaritan Center began planning to open a second location dedicated to assisting people with clothing and basic household needs, such as clothing, pots, pans, bedding and blankets.
In 1992 Broadway Bargains was opened and, with 800 feet of floor space, Good Samaritan Center had opened the first thrift shop in Excelsior Springs. Volunteers worked to sort clothing and contributors from the community supplied the shop with all sorts of donated house hold items and clothing. The Good Samaritan Center continued supplying people in need with free clothing on an as needed basis, but sold merchandise to the general public who, following national trends, had already proven to be fans of the thrift shopping experience. Proceeds from the sales were used to pay overhead for the facility, and because of the thrift stores success, it was soon helping to fund the assistance needs of the clients in the Good Samaritan Center primary assistance programs of food, utility and housing help.
After 15 years (in 2005) of operation, the Good Samaritan Center was ready to expand and bought the First Baptist Church building on the corner of Broadway and Thompson in downtown Excelsior Springs. The move to the new 25,000 sq. ft. facility included a 5,000 sq foot area to expand "Broadway Bargains." This allowed for a much larger selection of items and an enhanced shopping experience for consumers.
In June of 2008, the Center hired Tanya Duncan to manage the thrift side of the Samaritan Center operations. Duncan brought with her years of experience with thrift stores. Duncan who has a degree in organizational management is also a professional dance instructor, choreographer, director and costumer. Duncan spent years scouring thrift shops as a resource for the costumes she supplied for plays and musicals. So the prospect of having Duncan as the thrift manager provided an excellent opportunity to turn Broadway Bargains into a top flight thrift shop.
"Things have changed since the thrifts began in the 70's," said Duncan, of the changes in operation. "People from all ranges of income frequent us. From designer clothing to antiques and collectibles, the thrift store is now a mainstay for serious shoppers."
In addition to Broadway Bargains expansion, the furniture side of the original thrift store has branched out to a new location." Bargain Furniture" specializes in new and used furniture and home accessories at 449 South Thompson, and is under the management of Brenda Spicer of Excelsior Springs. Brenda brings with her a background of extensive experience in retail home furnishing. The new location allows for a larger display of new and used furniture that is being donated by the public. If you haven't already seen Broadway Bargains and Bargain Furniture, please stop by and say hello.
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