A plan to reopen The Treasure Chest at Rockfish Valley Community Center is now underway with redesigned operations required for the safety of all those working and visiting the thrift store.
Volunteers wearing masks and gloves began to prepare the thrift store May 26 by cleaning and sanitizing shelves and displays.
All donations will be stored in a clean space for a week to eliminate any possible virus survival before sorting for display. Separate quarantine bins will be used to begin a rotation of weekly donations after an isolation period.
Staff changes and the availability of volunteers are key to the opening date set for Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13. Retail sales hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. No more than 10 customers will be allowed in the store at one time, and social distancing will be monitored.
Masks (provided by the customer) will be required in the store. No exceptions. Gloves will be made available at customer request and at no charge. There will be one-way foot traffic with entrance and exit at different doors. A volunteer will be posted at the front door to welcome customers, monitor customer numbers, check for masks and offer gloves, provide guidance with in-store precautionary procedures and answer questions. Hand sanitizer will be available.
Clothes may not be tried on, and no fitting rooms will be available for that purpose. Six-foot intervals for check-out waiting spots will be floor-marked and cashiers will sanitize their hands and counter between sales. Customers will be asked to exit through the furniture room door.
With a smooth reopening, the store plans to open incrementally to five days a week. Eleanor Massie, assistant manager of the Treasure Chest, is coordinating volunteers and new hands are welcome.
