STEP to open new Thrift Store and Donation Center

Services To Enhance Potential (STEP) to host a grand opening event for its newest STEP Thrift Store and Donation Center, and Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC), to date, on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 13705 and 13721 Eureka Road, (next door to each other in Southgate Shopping Center), at 10:00 AM. This new STEP Thrift Store and Donation Center replaced the Dix-Toledo Road, Southgate, location. Both soft openings were held in September and October 2021. STEP is aggressively growing in its offerings.
“With our nearly 50 years in business, not only have we grown tremendously, but so have the demands of our consumers and of our communities. We will continue to meet those demands,” said Brent Mikulski, President & CEO, STEP.
Thrift store shopping is on an all-time high in growing numbers of varied demographics. STEP provides successful retail/resale work experiences for persons with disabilities and other mental health needs in Wayne County. In addition to STEP’s new and largest Southgate location, it has two other Wayne County Thrift Store & Donation Center locations, one in Dearborn Heights, and the other in Wayne. Many unique bargains and treasures are waiting to be discovered.
Watch for Your Thrift Store Diva to appear Live and on social media with fun fashion tips.
“It’s about confidence in who you are and frugally and fashionably sharing it with the world,” said Leah Paige Cooley, Regional Retail Sales Manager, STEP. “Our stores are for divas who dress with personality, and do so on a dime,” added Cooley.
This is PASC’s first progressive art studio and gallery in Southgate. A progressive art studio is an open art studio model, used by many disability programs across the world, which helps artists with developmental disabilities and mental health needs to build art careers by encouraging the development of unique artistic styles and independent art practices.
The studios and galleries  are  staffed by professional artists and curators who share their practice and serve as peer advisors offering encouragement and suggestions. This studio and gallery will become a significant part of the Southgate/downriver arts community, transforming opportunities for disabled adults in the region.
In addition to its new Southgate location, STEP’s Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC) has other Wayne County in-person studios and virtual studio programs in Detroit and Westland.
PASC Southgate will feature its first exhibition titled, Introductions in the PASC Southgate Gallery. It will feature a series of portraits by PASC artists in paint and drawing media, of people and animals; real, shamanistic, and fanciful.
All exhibition artwork is for sale with 60% of the sale returning to the artist. T-shirts, socks, postcards, and calendars will also be available.