Second hand store displays: good marketing or eyesore?
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ROSEBURG, Ore. -- The City of Roseburg is dusting off a 15-year-old ordinance and putting it into effect. Some business owners in Roseburg may have to change the way they do business, or pay the price.
The Dusty Hutch on SE Stephens Street has just about everything. Lately, all that stuff is getting lots of attention, and not the kind the owners bargained for.
Shane and Dawn Hutchinson, the owners of the Dusty Hutch, received a letter from the city, stating that second hand shops in areas zoned for commercial use can't have second hand goods on display outside the building. "The used stuff out front was an eyesore, I guess," said Shane.
Teresa Clamons, a community planner for the City of Roseburg, says the used items are an issue. "This is an issue, because I drive into town that way and it's not a good gateway to Roseburg," she said.
The city reminded thrift store owners about a couple of ordinances that limit the sale of used goods to fully enclosed structures in certain zones of Roseburg. "The ordinance does state specifically, second hand stores have to keep things inside the building," said Clamons.
But, that doesn't go for every store in Roseburg. Peggy Cheatham of While Away Books, puts less expensive items on shelves outside to attract customers. "You know, a lot of sales come from visualization," she said.
The city says while a 'few' items outside are OK, they do have rules. And, with customer complaints stacking up, the old way is history. "It really hadn't been that big of a deal until last summer, when we got citizens' complaints," Clamons said.
Meanwhile, Shane and Dawn Hutchinson fear their livelihood will be threatened if they have to change the way they advertise. "The things that are outside is what our customers stop in for," said Shane. "That's 60% of our revenue."
Dawn told KPIC News what she thinks will happen if the city goes forward with enforcing the ordinance. "I think they'll (customers) probably think we're closed."
The city is looking into a compromise, and using Sweet Home as a model. Sweet Home uses a permit system, and only allows what you can fit inside at night to be out during the day.
But, if thrift stores don't change by November, they will be subject to a fine, starting at $500 a day.
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to those complaining about the south gate area you do realize that enacting this ordinance will not affect 3rd hand resale across from youngs and the other stores around the one that burned there because those stores are just outside of city limits... also, if you've ever shopped at "the hippy store" aka reggie and renee's resale across from goodwill i think you know that these are not scammers or people who have "bad karma" coming to them, but their business would also be compromised by this ordinance and they would likely have to shut down. the owner has a bad back and he and his wife carry the merchandise in and out EVERY night. these people are trying to make a living in a bad economy, they cannot afford a permit or a fine or the square footage they would lose if they avoid both. salvation army has been leaving merchandise outside all night for decades, but now that there are so many thrift stores and because they are doing such great business there is an uprising, who knows maybe corporate jealousy at the loss of business to them. roseburg is not a rich area, i think our city centers reflect that. you can keep trying to sweep us under the rug but a skunk sprayed with perfume just smells like a skunk in perfume. why do we need to try to be Sweet Home? we are Roseburg and we are underpaid so we shop at or open thrift stores. next will they tell us we can't have yard sales or that having one will require a permit on our own private property? go ahead and complain of the "eyesore" but allowing your peers in the community to lose their rights means that you and I may be next.
@ J Lynn- what's wrong with the Southgate area? I've been around for many years and know the owner...she does an excellent job keeping that place cleaned up considering the area of town it is in.
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As for the story...I think a compromise is necessary. There are plenty of places that display things outside. However, this particular place does seem to clutter stuff outside. It has caught my eye a few times and has made me want to check it out. A few items on display should not be a problem but it does need to be cleaned up.
the whole southgate area is sad looking enough and has been for years, there are way to many (second hand stores) around roseburg, I've been here pretty much since the early 80s. Its about time the city took notice. And karma does come around to those who foster it for good or like these folks , bad in my opinion, i didnt find my experience with them to be fair and up front.
Well it is an eye sore, and the last thing the community needs is another store selling used stuff at an outrageous price! The city sidewalk is not a show room for this stuff. Â I agree with the person who mentioned the girls outside smoking at yogee's, but at least the strippers try to cover up what we do not want to see. You can't miss the stuff outside these places when you drive by, Â and you can't help but to practically trip over the stuff if you walk by.
All I can say is they get what they deserve...These people are total scam artist....they say they will sell your stuff on commission then they never pay you for your items.....or they just flat out steal your stuff......they took my parents for about 7,000.00$ worth of stuff on consignment and my parents have to take them to court to get any money from them. Â Just goes to show you KARMA will come around and get you!!!!!!!
WE WORRY ABOUT HOW USED GOODS LOOK OUTSIDE ON UR WAY INTO TOWN BUT NO ONE CARES ABOUT THE STRIPPERS SITTING OUT SIDE OF YOGEES EVERY OTHER NIGHT A FEW BLOCKS DOWN!?!
ok so walmart, big 5, the grange co-op and coastal will have to follow these same rules or do too many important people shop there.Just because people in our local goverment who drive by there do not like it things should change... i don't think so.personally i dont like to watch my town be over run by new chinese garbage in new packages out side stores but such is life.
Is the city not more concerned about the drug users and sex abusers that hang out in alley's, sidewalks, storefronts, parking stuctures etc. than the people who are trying to make an honest living? Clear the human waste from the streets, then be concerned about forcing another local small business to shut it doors due to one dummy's complaing..Sheesh, Give these people a break Roseburg. FYI Roseburg, we don't seem to be concerned about the strippers who stand out on the side walks in their under wear while they smoke as families drive pass do we?? HMMM no ordinance for that one though?
I for one would be most pleased to have the City of Roseburg, entertain and implement some or all of Sweet Home's model. I for one do most all of my shopping at Second Hand Stores..including Salvation Army, Goodwill, Saving Grace, The Dusty Hutch, While Away Books, etc. My income does not support my buying at retail prices, and I find too, that I can have things this I could not afford otherwise, by buying recycled goods...Our city has a great commercial, which states in part, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse..I practice that, and see second hand shopping as a way of implementing that philosophy. I would be one of the customers who would miss, not seeing items displayed outside the store, as I have stopped more than once, because of things I have seen displayed, and might have otherwise diven on by. I also do what I refer to as retail therapy, and I do it all at Second Hand shops. I've developed some good relationships with employees at the afore mentioned businesses. I am also thrilled that we have these businesses in Roseburg, as I see them as, small business, isn't  that what I have heard so much about in the upcoming election...I support small business, and feel that we need small business...it would be a real shame to see many of these stores close because of the ordinance, and once again have this area of town mentioned in the article look like a ghost town, and possibly have homeless folks start using the properties for their own use..I could go on about the need for some viable alternatives for our homeless population, however this is not the topic of this story...thank you, for hearing my comment.
That is just so wrong. I go down Stephens St. often. I only shop in that erea of town when I see something that catches my eye as I pass by. If that part of town doesn't look so great, it has nothing to do with the shops having things out on display. It is our worst part of town and isn't kept up very well in the first place. These people are just trying to make a living. They are also helping people by selling things that are needed or wanted. Times are tough right now and I appreciate seeing people who are making it work for themselves and for others.
This is ridiculous. There should not be a difference in how New and Used vendors are treated. We need to support the small business owners and not drive them away with more legislation. I have turned around and gone back to some of these vendors based on something they have outside. With the economy the way it is so many of us have gotten used to finding things second hand. Â I think the person doing the complaining is being very petty.Â