Spotlight on CLASP Community Partner: The Economy Shop
The Economy Shop—that little storefront at 325 W. First Street in the Claremont Village with limited hours and a charming blue awning—is as old as just about anyone reading this newsletter. When it closed its doors for the season this month, it completed 93 years of giving back to the community, including more than $60,000 to CLASP over that last 16 years.
Giving back is what the Economy Shop does—it is an all-volunteer organization that gives away 99% of all proceeds from its donations and sales to local organizations and community charities. According to President of the Board Rich Laughton, the Economy Shop’s mission is to “give back everything we can.” Over its last 9-plus decades it has given away over a million dollars.
When asked what has motivated the Economy Shop to support CLASP all these years, Laughton said it is “The return CLASP gives directly to the students. That’s what drives our organization. We like our money to go to the people who need it. [When we give to CLASP] we feel that money goes straight to the students.”
Reflecting on the intersecting missions of CLASP and Economy Shop, CLASP Board member and Economy Shop volunteer Nancy Treser-Osgood said “both the Economy Shop and CLASP are focused on helping others. The [Economy Shop] building is owned and run entirely by volunteers, so the money we earn is donated right back to nonprofits, like CLASP.”
The Economy Shop closed for the season on May 8. This summer, in addition to cleaning, refreshing, and painting the shop, the board will begin the process of partnering with Pitzer Professor of Art Jessica McCoy, who will work with students to produce a mural on the east wall of the First Street building. You will be able to watch this project in real time starting in the fall. And if you want to donate or volunteer at the Economy Shop next season, you can go to the website for all the information you need.
Honoring the Economy Shop at the 2014 Celebrate CLASP gala. CLASP Board President Jeanne Hamilton (right) presents award to long-time Economy Shop volunteer Pat Bortscheller (center), and the late Norm Bortscheller, Past Economy Shop Board President (left).
Economy Shop wall hanging listed the many charities the shop supports.