GALVESTON, Texas – The resale furniture store owned and operated by the Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County has been a fixture on 23rd Street since 2018 — but on April 25, that location will officially close.
The nonprofit, which supports survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking, says the work will continue, but neighbors and customers worry the community will feel the loss.
Judy Fowler has shopped at the store for years. The furniture is nice, she says, but it’s the mission behind the store that keeps her coming back.
“That way I can make sure that they have enough funds to keep the domestic violence center open,” Fowler said.
The concept is straightforward: shop, give, make a difference. Mark Pinard, who does a bit of everything at the store and for the organization, says the stakes behind every sale are real.
“So our organization offers a shelter for people who are in need of an immediate housing situation, who are trying to escape from those situations. And all of the organization goes to support that mission in providing them with assistance, as well as housing and basic essentials,” Pinard said.
The shelter can house between dozens of women and children at a time. When clients are ready to move on, the store plays a direct role in helping them start fresh.
“The shelter can house up to 50 to 60 clients of women and children, and all of those clients are there at that facility until they’re leaving, and then those clients have a voucher program where they can come and they can get assistance from us for furniture for their new homes, their new places,” Pinard said.
The Resource and Crisis Center of Galveston County has been serving the community since 1979. Its resale locations — including the Galveston store — help fund expenses not covered by state or federal grants. When the landlord offered a lease renewal, the numbers simply didn’t work.
“So all of our resale locations are basically a storefront and that’s rented space. And this location is closing due to the fact of rising costs in that rent. And so we were given an option by the landlord to renew the lease, but that lease increased in the costs and it was something that essentially doubled our and that was not something tangible for the company,” Pinard said.
The organization plans to relocate to Texas City, near one of its existing stores, but Pinard acknowledges the transition won’t be seamless.
“We do have a customer base here and there is a definite need for this location. The thing about Texas City, we’re fortunate to have the space next door available to us. We do have two trucks now that we’re able to pick up and do deliveries in Galveston, but establishing a base in Texas City is going to take time. Obviously there’s going be a lull, maybe in the business,” Pinard said.
The hope is that the lull is short — and that the organization finds its way back to the island someday. For Fowler, the closing is personal.
“Galveston always pitches in and helps each other. And I want to see someone step up, pitch in, and help not just RCC but the employees. I guess they’re my friends now. But also the community needs this,” she said.
if you would like more information on how to donate or get involved you can click here : Victims | Rccgc | Galveston