Gunnison’s newest thrift store is ‘Making Change’ in the valley

The Gunnison Valley is no stranger to thrift stores, but the community’s newest thrift spot is doing things a little differently. Making Change officially opened on Nov. 1 and has already become a staple for community members. Owner Jennifer Young has lived in the valley on and off for over 30 years, returning in 2020 after a period in Las Vegas as the president and founder of the Making Change program through Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This new endeavor is an extension of her passion for helping others.

“The ‘Making Change’ name came from a program where we would try to set a record in the Guiness Book of World Records every year with the most change collected,” Young said. “All the schools would collect the change and then they would give it to the schools across town that were in need. We could buy food from the food bank for six cents a pound and stock up pantries with food for the kids.”

Young has prioritized a sense of community above all else.

The store has created a relationship with the Oxford Sober Living house, employing members and assisting others.

“We’ll hook them up with anything, even toiletries,” Young said, noting that she saw this gap in community aid when she returned. Every clothing item costs a dollar, but if someone is really in need, it’s free. Young’s philosophy is to help those in need around you, no questions asked.

“Everybody has different needs,” Young said. “Only you know what you need.”

Before leaving the valley, Young worked at Crested Butte boutique Sole Mates.

“The thrift came when I went to Vegas and got involved with the homeless population,” she said. “And it wasn’t even really thrift then, we just gave away all this type of stuff to the clothing closets and the schools, but here there’s just not [as much] need for that.”

Young stressed that her real concern was learning.

“I just want people to be able to find their passion,” she said. “Everyone is smart, it’s just what your passion is, and not everyone has that outlet.”

As a long-time local, she knows where this valley struggles.

“Here we needed more of a space for the kids and the parents in homeschooled situations, and just meet up spaces,” she said. “Even to do a pop up at Fred Field it’s hundreds of dollars to rent a room, and so I just thought where do people even go?”

That’s when Young took the initiative to change things in Gunnison. On the top floor of the building, she has created a classroom style meeting space. It is filled with free supplies, and is free for anyone to use or reserve.

“There’s a huge homeschool community in Gunnison,” she said. “Some groups come in at least four days a week.” Young said. “It’s honestly just a community space for everybody. No age limit.”

As much help as Young has been to others, she stressed that this community and her friends have supported her emotionally, physically and even financially.

“I love my friends here, that’s why I came back,” she said. “The only reason I can even get out of bed is because I know that community is there, and even though I may not be [here] every day I can get in my car and I can have that love of my friends and that safety of the community. I would like to thank my best friend Leah Fisher for all her support.”

Donations to Making Change are open during store hours, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Tuesday, but Young said she doesn’t mind if people drop things off in front or behind the store at any hour.