{"id":20320,"date":"2016-12-15T13:21:03","date_gmt":"2016-12-15T18:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.glensfalls.com\/glensfallsbusinessjournal\/2016\/12\/cwi-opens-just-a-buck-store-in-queensbury-that-provides-jobs-for-those-in-its-programs.html"},"modified":"2017-11-08T11:00:16","modified_gmt":"2017-11-08T16:00:16","slug":"cwi-opens-just-a-buck-store-in-queensbury-that-provides-jobs-for-those-in-its-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glensfalls.com\/glensfallsbusinessjournal\/2016\/12\/cwi-opens-just-a-buck-store-in-queensbury-that-provides-jobs-for-those-in-its-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"CWI Opens Just-A-Buck Store In Queensbury That Provides Jobs For Those In Its Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\n<\/div>\n
\nErin Houck, left, Justin Howard and Kim Green are staff members at Just-A-Buck, a dollar store run by Community, Work & Independence, which opened in October in the Queensbury Plaza.<\/p>\n
Courtesy Marriott Corp.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nBy Liz Witbeck\n<\/div>\n
Most people familiar with the dollar stores that are available in local communities where a person can find things they need for only a single dollar bill. But there is something special happening at Just-A-Buck, a new such store in Queensbury.<\/p>\n
Just-A-Buck opened in October at 756 Upper Glen St. in the Queensbury Plaza.<\/p>\n
The store is nonprofit entity run by Community, Work & Independence (CWI). CWI exists to help individuals with disabilities participate within their community, being active and living their lives to their fullest potential.<\/p>\n
Mark Donohue, CEO at CWI, is passionate about the idea for Just-A-Buck. For the past three years, he has been in discussions with the Just-A-Buck Corp., trying to formulate a business partnership between the two. \nThe local store is the seventh organization in the United States to open a mission-driven dollar store under the Just-A-Buck model.<\/p>\n
Allison Adames is manager of the store. Previously she co-managed a Walmart for 15 years.<\/p>\n
Employees at the store have a variety of physical and mental disabilities. Their duties include stocking inventory, cleaning and operating the cash register.<\/p>\n
“We give them the chance to grow in society,” said Adames. “They might not get that opportunity if they applied somewhere else.”<\/p>\n
Just-A-Buck has many items under one roof: cleaning supplies, household organizational items, pet supplies, health and beauty items, food, holiday decorations, toys, school supplies and more.<\/p>\n
Adames said one of the things that makes Just-A-Buck stand out are its closeout specials. Recently, they receive a limited supply of certain items, which are typically gone within a few days, she said. There are brand name items that many people like to shop for.<\/p>\n
“When those items are gone, we never get them back,” said Adames.<\/p>\n
Customers coming into Just-A-Buck often comment about how clean the store is and how well-organized and how easy it is to find items they need, Adames said.<\/p>\n
But what is the most important is the mission of the store?<\/p>\n
“Our goal is to help [employees] be a part of society,” she said. “They enjoy their job. They are happy to come to work each day.”<\/p>\n
Each Tuesday during the month of December, Just-A-Buck is holding a Ladies Night. Guests can come in and learn how to make holiday baskets and other festive crafts. Refreshments are served. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Dec. 17, Just-A-Buck will host a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus. Guests can come in and have a free picture taken. The event starts at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
The staff at CWI hopes Just-A-Buck store can help promote their mission of fully integrating people with disabilities into society and helping them live up to their fullest potential.<\/p>\n
Just-A-Buck is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Erin Houck, left, Justin Howard and Kim Green are staff members at Just-A-Buck, a dollar store run by Community, Work & Independence, which opened in October in the Queensbury Plaza. Courtesy Marriott Corp. By Liz Witbeck Most people familiar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n
CWI Opens Just-A-Buck Store In Queensbury That Provides Jobs For Those In Its Programs - Glens Falls Business Journal<\/title>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\r\n