my job
By Laura French • jobslink@startribune.com
After an expansion last summer, Tom Hegblom's Arc's Value Village location is about 18,000 square feet. "It's not a SuperTarget, but it's enough space for a substantial selling floor and back room," he said. The back room is important because, he noted, "we process all the inventory we sell."
Hegblom grew up near the location he now manages. When he was 16, he recalled, "My mom said, 'You should go find a job.' I thought one Saturday I would stop in and apply." He worked there part-time in high school through college, graduating with a degree in youth work and psychology.
He briefly worked in an elementary school, but the thrift shop beckoned. "Day to day here I do get to use a lot of the skills that I learned and refined. We have a mission associated with our bottom line. We provide volunteer opportunities for young adults with disabilities, and opportunities for some people with disabilities to be employed and receive a paycheck," he said.
Like any retail store, Hegblom said, "we have goals that we have to achieve everyday in regards to sales and production — how much clothing we're putting out, how to replace our stock with as much as we sold the day before." The difference is that Hegblom's plan varies from day to day, based on what's been donated. "You might have a great selection of women's coats one day. The next day you might have amazing lamps from a high-end retailer," he said.
Hegblom hasn't had formal training in retail. "Everything I know I've learned through growing up at Value Village," he said. "It's impossible for me to go into a big box retail store without noticing how they merchandise their product. I can't go into a retail store without cleaning up after somebody."
Although strict policies prevent employees from getting to merchandise ahead of customers, Hegblom does occasionally find bargains. "I was able to score a life-size Big Bird costume," he said. "It's the size of a fridge."
What's the best part of the job?
The people. We have a great crew at all of our stores. Volunteers are really important. We have a loyal customer following. We get to know them really well. I'm not a desk dweller.
What tip would you give someone who wants to try thrift shopping?
One of the things I hear is people get really intimidated. We have thousands of items — it can be difficult to sift through. Come in with an open mind about what you're going to find. Pick a couple of departments and shop those.
What tips would you give about donating?
As long as it's not soiled — if it has a rip or stain or you don't think you would ever wear it again, and you think "I might as well just throw it away," we want it! We recycle textiles, shoes, purses, belts, eye glasses, cellphones. It's a source of revenue for us, the planet benefits, and we're better off.
Is this the busy season for you?
Winter holiday runs from the middle of September until Dec. 31. Merry Thirftmas starts Nov. 2 and runs through the end of year. The last week of December is donation week — the last opportunity for the coveted 2014 tax receipt. When January comes around we're ready for a nap, but we have a sale three weeks later.
Note: Since this profile was written, Tom Hegblom has beeen promoted to Thrift Business District Manager with responsibility for overseeing day-to-day operations at all five Arc's Value Village stores. â–¡
