The collaboration for the store was in order to provide a space where local artists, crafters and small businesses — including some owned by people with disabilities — could display and sell their products. CHQ Plus also includes a training program for those with disabilities to help them learn retail job skills that will lead them to gaining employment at local businesses.

Terri Johnson, The Resource Center director of employment and community-based services, said the idea for the store came after the Chamber of Commerce approached them about a grant.

“It started with the Chamber of Commerce reached out because they had a grant that they wanted to use to open a pop-up store to help support local businesses,” Johnson said. “They reached out to see if we would be interested in helping and we got together to see if we could participate and if it would be a part of the Resource Center’s mission.”

The Resource Center was able to help with the idea because of the included training program that allows for those with disabilities to gain work skills. They also collaborated with the Gebbie Foundation, which Johnson said helped with finances.

CHQ Plus celebrated their two year anniversary on Oct 11. Pictured are Adam Panebianco, Bruce Main, Terri Johnson and Ando Shierling.
Submitted photo

Greg Edwards, executive director of the Gebbie Foundation, said the foundation’s focus is on increasing economic growth and opportunities in the city, and CHQ Plus became a part of that. One of their retail locations they were working on was 221 Cherry Street, on the corner of Third Street and Cherry Street, or what would become CHQ Plus’s location.

“The challenge was the space was not tenant ready since it had been gutted as part of the total renovation of that large building and sat vacant for many years,” Edwards said. “We agreed to help the out of town owners find a tenant and had a number of potential businesses interested but the build out challenges prevented them from going forward. I learned that TRC was investigating the potential for a retail outlet that could serve as a training ground for some of their talented clients.”

Edwards said he called and met with Johnson, who told him about the plans for the store, including three videos about how it would work. Edwards said he was immediately taken in by the impact it could have.

“This was a rare opportunity to combine economic development with the commitment of TRC to introduce their clients to a work environment where they would simultaneously do job training,” Edwards said. “The Gebbie Foundation saw this as an opportunity to advance our goals and partner with the team at TRC.”

Edwards said following this they negotiated with the owners to fund part of the build out and provided The Resource Center a grant for part of it, and a grant to help them get started. He added that Gebbie is now committed to supporting CHQ Plus through 2025 and that it benefits the whole region.

“The return on our investments of time and grants have exceeded our expectations with a fun new store, employees who add significant value to the shoppers’ experiences, and three of the clients graduating into jobs in our community,” Edwards said. “An added benefit is that some of the businesses who are selling products through this location may in turn rent their own spaces in our city.”

Johnson said everything has been going well for the past two years, with over 59 vendors coming in and out over the years. The original number of vendors was 12, and Johnson said vendors have the ability to come and go.

One such vendor, Jennifer Nelson, owner of 1327 designs, has been a vendor with CHQ Plus since its opening. She offers laser engraved personal items, including for events such as weddings or Christmas. She can also do things like engraving people’s handwriting — like a recipe from someone’s grandma — onto things.

“I was drawn in by what they were trying to do by using the clients at the Resource Center to train them on work skills so they can earn money even though they have a disability,” Nelson said. “They provide that training for several clients of the Resource Center while also offering a unique shopping experience. When you shop small at CHQ Plus you can visit a variety of local artists, not just one.”

Other growth for the business includes seeing three people in the training program move on to other paid employment. Johnson said CHQ Plus is important for the Resource Center not only because of this training program but because of the other 28 small businesses that are sheltered under one roof. CHQ Plus allows the Resource Center to support them while also offering the vendors the ability to grow their business and sell their items in a retail market that they might not otherwise get to do.

“The holiday season is approaching and CHQ Plus is a great way to support these small businesses under one roof,” Johnson said.

The variety of places and items available at CHQ Plus, along with the ability to go in and interact with all of the different people from the Resource Center or that are working there is what Nelson said makes it a joy to work and communicate with people there.

“It’s a special thing that CHQ Plus offers,” Nelson said.