Uptown Cheapskate, a local resale clothing store in Statesboro, GA, has found an innovative way to not only serve their customers but also support victims of local disasters. Through a creative partnership with local non-profit Bulloch County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the store is turning forgotten reusable shopping bags into crucial funds for those affected by fires and other emergencies.
Christina Grams, owner of the Uptown Cheapskate franchise located at 245 Tormenta Way, B3-4 (behind Publix) in Statesboro, recently sat down with Grice Connect to explain how this unique initiative came to be. The store, which buys gently used clothing and accessories from the community for cash or store credit, initially faced an unexpected challenge.
“When we first opened, people were bringing in their items in trash bags, and those would often rip,” Grams explained. To address this, Uptown Cheapskate encouraged the use of reusable bags. This led to a surplus of these bags, either donated by customers or left behind after dropping off items.
Seeing an opportunity to give back, Grams and her team devised a simple yet impactful plan. They began selling the extra reusable bags for just one dollar, with all proceeds going directly to a local charity. Bulloch VOAD, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals and families impacted by disasters, quickly emerged as the ideal partner.
“We decided that we would just sell those bags for a dollar and then give those funds to a local charity. And one of the ideas that we came up with was for VOAD because of burnout victims. And it’s been very helpful,” Grams stated.
The program has proven to be a significant success. In its first six months, the initiative has already raised well over $500 for Bulloch VOAD. This provides a tangible benefit to the community, allowing VOAD to offer immediate assistance to those who have lost everything in a house fire or other disaster.
For Grams, the cause is deeply personal. Her husband, Tim Grams, serves as the City of Statesboro Fire Chief, giving her firsthand insight into the devastation caused by fires. Furthermore, her own family experienced the trauma of a house fire when her mother’s home burned down three years ago.
“I remember my mother’s home burned about three years ago. And when it happens to you, you don’t realize how devastating it is and what a loss it is for, you know, your whole life’s worth of things just to go up in flames in a matter of minutes,” Grams shared. She recalled how VOAD and their partner agencies, including Fostering Bulloch Hope Chest, C.A.F.E., Statesboro Food Bank, United Way and others, stepped in to help her mother get back on her feet, inspiring her desire to give back in a similar way.
Dr. Frank Davis, Chair of Bulloch County VOAD, praised Grams’ commitment to the community. “This is a great example of how even a small contribution can make a large impact. We would love to have more businesses following Christina's lead, in supporting our work in the community. Every dollar given is directly placed back into helping citizens during their greatest time of need like a house fire or other disaster,” he noted. Dr. Davis highlighted Uptown Cheapskate’s immediate and ongoing support for local initiatives, including their support of Grice Connect.
Grams, a Bulloch County native, emphasized that giving back to the community is a core value for her and her husband. While her background is in the medical field as a physical therapist assistant, she was determined to find a way to contribute in her new role in retail.
Statesboro LOVES Uptown Cheapskate
Uptown Cheapskate has quickly become a popular shopping destination in Statesboro. Grams revealed that within their first month, the store ranked seventh in sales out of 146 franchises, an impressive feat for a smaller market like Statesboro. She attributes their success to offering high-quality, name-brand items at affordable prices, filling a need in the local retail landscape.
The store's business model also incorporates environmental consciousness. Customers who bring in clothes they no longer need receive immediate payment, either in cash or store credit. Items that Uptown Cheapskate cannot resell are either returned to the customer or donated to local non-profits like Joyful Blessings and the Free Market of Statesboro, further supporting the community and promoting reuse.
Through their simple yet effective shopping bag initiative, Uptown Cheapskate and Christina Grams are demonstrating how local businesses can make a meaningful impact, one dollar and one bag at a time, supporting their community in times of greatest need.
Support Bulloch VOAD
If you would like to learn more about how you or your business could support the efforts of Bulloch VOAD email them at bullochvoad@gmail.com.
The mission of the Bulloch County VOAD is to advocate and provide for a coordinated management of processes associated with the immediate and long term recovery assistance for persons affected by disaster.
Uptown Cheapskate is a proud supporter and community partner of Grice Connect. By supporting them, you are also supporting the positive impact Grice Connect has in keeping our community informed and connected.