By John E Weare, Keep Alliance Beautiful
ALLIANCE, Neb. - Downtown storefronts often fade from vibrant places of business to the faces of tired old buildings hoping for new owners. I always thought the former Art and Jerry’s Boot Shop between the Newberry building and the Alliance Theatre still had a little twinkle in its eyes. Model trains and other knick knacks in the window made me wonder if Jerry Reynolds still spent any time there or if an open sign may appear while nobody was looking.
Well, as most anybody knows now, many of the treasures from the shop and elsewhere were on sale this past Friday through Sunday, March 27-29, in the hall next door at Golden Hour BBQ. Arrayed on tables was a broad selection from board games to collectables. I was intrigued by the effort it took to reduce and reuse, or more accurately rehome, the longtime businessman’s belongings. The green practice avoids throwing away as much as possible while generating a little green for Jerry too.
Dave Pearse, former owner of Redman’s Shoes, is leading the effort. “(We’re) doing this because of a friend. He’s in a rest home.” He explained that he organized a group of people. “Sometimes it takes a village to help a friend out,” Dave said. “I got people from Keep Alliance Beautiful, The Mission Store and friends and neighbors.”
“As one person tried to explain to Jerry, all these neat things he had are going to a new home and new people will enjoy them. Not gone forever, gone to a new home.”
A few weeks ago I gathered recyclables that our crew had taken from apartments owned by Jerry. They also winnowed down the contents for a load to The Mission Store and bags for the alley Dumpster. This service is not as common as our recycling aspect, yet KAB also strives to promote beautification and help our neighbors.
“We realized right away there are many treasures because he’s a collector: household things because you live, things to be recycled and then this,” Dave said referring to everything in the hall to be sold as people were actively marking each item.
I liken the process to a large estate sale. “So much to do and so many categories,” Dave explained. “These people you call and lean on them . . . it’s been quite a process. . . . People who have these community-minded talents you can draw from.” Nine people helped move items from the shop with the same number working to clean and display everything. Four took care of marking prices. Another seven to nine worked the sale.
“It has definitely been a challenge because of the sheer volume,” Dave said. It’s a big task and at times a detailed task. We’re in a time crunch. We want to have it done in a reasonable amount of time.”
Dave thanked “all the hardworking people that have put this together” and the public for their interest.
People have been excited about the sale with Dave fielding a number of calls. My son was volunteering at KAB while I was visiting with Dave at the Newberry. He scoped out the wares and hoped my wife would bring him back as the sale opened Friday morning. Like others young and old Mitch met Jerry downtown. I think we were in the donut shop and my son said hi. He quickly noticed they had the same “ears”. My son is deaf and has two cochlear implants while Jerry also had one that was relatively new at the time. So Mitch, also a collector, made a new connection.
“He (has) had a lot of effect on people’s lives,” Dave said, referring to both professionals and residents throughout the community. “. . . he welcomed people in,” remembering how Jerry always greeted people new to Alliance.
Dave said Jerry is doing well and expects to transition soon from nursing care to assisted living.
“‘Stop in and see me and while you’re here buy something’ was one of his ad lines and that’s where we’re at,” Dave said.
An auction is tentatively planned for mid-April for other items and collectables, though an exact date is yet to be announced.
Downtown storefronts often fade from vibrant places of business to the faces of tired old buildings hoping for new owners. I always thought the former Art and Jerry’s Boot Shop between the Newberry building and the Alliance Theatre still had a little twinkle in its eyes. Model trains and other knick knacks in the window made me wonder if Jerry Reynolds still spent any time there or if an open sign may appear while nobody was looking.
Well, as most anybody knows now, many of the treasures from the shop and elsewhere were on sale this past Friday through Sunday, March 27-29, in the hall next door at Golden Hour BBQ. Arrayed on tables was a broad selection from board games to collectables. I was intrigued by the effort it took to reduce and reuse, or more accurately rehome, the longtime businessman’s belongings. The green practice avoids throwing away as much as possible while generating a little green for Jerry too.
Dave Pearse, former owner of Redman’s Shoes, is leading the effort. “(We’re) doing this because of a friend. He’s in a rest home.” He explained that he organized a group of people. “Sometimes it takes a village to help a friend out,” Dave said. “I got people from Keep Alliance Beautiful, The Mission Store and friends and neighbors.”
“As one person tried to explain to Jerry, all these neat things he had are going to a new home and new people will enjoy them. Not gone forever, gone to a new home.”
A few weeks ago I gathered recyclables that our crew had taken from apartments owned by Jerry. They also winnowed down the contents for a load to The Mission Store and bags for the alley Dumpster. This service is not as common as our recycling aspect, yet KAB also strives to promote beautification and help our neighbors.
“We realized right away there are many treasures because he’s a collector: household things because you live, things to be recycled and then this,” Dave said referring to everything in the hall to be sold as people were actively marking each item.
I liken the process to a large estate sale. “So much to do and so many categories,” Dave explained. “These people you call and lean on them . . . it’s been quite a process. . . . People who have these community-minded talents you can draw from.” Nine people helped move items from the shop with the same number working to clean and display everything. Four took care of marking prices. Another seven to nine worked the sale.
“It has definitely been a challenge because of the sheer volume,” Dave said. It’s a big task and at times a detailed task. We’re in a time crunch. We want to have it done in a reasonable amount of time.”
Dave thanked “all the hardworking people that have put this together” and the public for their interest.
People have been excited about the sale with Dave fielding a number of calls. My son was volunteering at KAB while I was visiting with Dave at the Newberry. He scoped out the wares and hoped my wife would bring him back as the sale opened Friday morning. Like others young and old Mitch met Jerry downtown. I think we were in the donut shop and my son said hi. He quickly noticed they had the same “ears”. My son is deaf and has two cochlear implants while Jerry also had one that was relatively new at the time. So Mitch, also a collector, made a new connection.
“He (has) had a lot of effect on people’s lives,” Dave said, referring to both professionals and residents throughout the community. “. . . he welcomed people in,” remembering how Jerry always greeted people new to Alliance.
Dave said Jerry is doing well and expects to transition soon from nursing care to assisted living.
“‘Stop in and see me and while you’re here buy something’ was one of his ad lines and that’s where we’re at,” Dave said.
An auction is tentatively planned for mid-April for other items and collectables, though an exact date is yet to be announced.