If you are in the market for furniture or appliances, you might want to check out the new Appliance and Furniture Outlet operated by the Jobs Foundation at 415 11th Avenue South in Hopkins. The nonprofit offers name brand furniture at low prices.
"Our customers are people who shop online, shop regularly or tell friends about us," said Dupree Logan, program manager. "It's growing and we've been having great success as people hear about us."
The Jobs Foundation is a nonprofit that gives jobs to people who might have a barrier to obtaining employment elsewhere, like a prison record. Workers learn basic sales, accounting, and merchandising skills to get jobs elsewhere. The Jobs Foundation outgrew warehouse space in Plymouth, so they opened up a warehouse space in Hopkins six weeks ago.
"[People] continue to buy from us, the prices are right and people know what our vision is and what people are trying to accomplish as a nonprofit," said Logan.
The gem at the location is brand new Ashley-brand furniture that is sold at low prices because of low overhead. Logan plans to expand the showroom floor to offer a variety of couches, loveseats, dressers, bureaus, and dining room furniture to shoppers. Also, shoppers can check out 'scratch and dent' LG appliances. "Some people they don't mind if there are a couple of dents in a $3, 000 refrigerator if they can get it at half price," said Logan. The showroom is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Besides the showroom, the Jobs Foundation auctions off quality used furniture and merchandise through K-Bid on their website, www.jobsfoundation.org
Shannon Slatton, reporting
sslatton@twelve.tv
July 25, 2012