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Garments and Goods - Popular shop has new location

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By Pam Reinig

Register Editor

Christmas came early for the employees and customers of a popular downtown Elkader retail shop. 

Garments and Goods has moved from its original space in the former Napa Auto Parts building to a big, bright storefront on Main Street just in time for holiday shopping. Their new space was most recently home to Rockadot, a graphic design and recording studio that now operates on the building’s upper story.

“We got excited as soon as we heard the building was available,” said Melissa Buckman, Garments and Goods store manager and job coach. “We felt it would offer more room and more window space, and would perhaps give us more foot traffic.”

Buckman and her clerks have used the additional space to better display seasonal items like their decorative holiday signs and festive wreaths. Extra space also means more room to maneuver around clothes racks and the opportunity to expand the shop’s retail line with jewelry, fun socks, mittens, purses and more.

“We’re able to provide a greater variety of goods to our customers.” Melissa added.

Garments and Goods is owned by G&G Living Centers, which was founded in 1992 by a group of community leaders from Guttenberg and Garnavillo. According to the organization’s website, its purpose is to bring back to Northeast Iowa developmentally disabled children of families living in the area. G&G now provides support services to the special needs populations of 19 counties with six homes for its clients and four Garments and Goods shops. The other stores are located in Guttenberg, Garnavillo and Edgewood.

All four stores sell gently used clothing and small household items.

“We’re like Goodwill but we don’t accept or sell furniture or electronics,” said Rachel Jaster, G&G employment services director who was instrumental in getting the Elkader shop launched two years ago. 

The shop’s store hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations, both seasonal and out-of-season, are accepted during regular shop hours.

Melissa and her staff are looking forward to serving customers in their new location.

“We have something to offer everyone,” she said. “And when you shop here, you not only find a great item but you also help provide community employment to the individuals we serve. “

Kim Frentress, who works in the Elkader store, is happy with the new location and a chance to greet customers, both old and new. “It’s nice here,” she said. “We have a lot of space and a lot of really nice things to sell to people that will make them happy.”

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