Greetings from the Price Center
COVID-19 CLOSURE CONTINUES
Following CDC and local leader guidelines, the Price Center remains closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. At this time, we know that we will be remain closed to the public through July and will continue to monitor the situation and update you accordingly.
WE’RE MAKING LEMONADE FROM LEMONS
The closure has given us the unique opportunity to stop our 7-day a week operation and take a good long look at our spaces, furnishings and years and years of collected items. We’ve made use of the time to cleanup and clear-out and now have a number of items from furniture to kitchen items to home accessories, hardware and tools and more available to purchase. The sale includes items from the Price Center’s inventory and a variety of generous donations from members and friends.
Our 1893 Chapel, Parlor and Garden Room are serving as temporary showrooms with items displayed and priced for easy access and purchase. All proceeds will benefit the Price Center. (See the attached about some of the items available). Single, masked shoppers will be allowed to look and purchase. Cash and carry only. Interested? Email claydestefano@gmail.com for an appointment to shop and buy.
If you have quality items you no longer need or have room to store, we are accepting them again. Smaller furniture, home accessories, housewares, and more welcome in good condition all accepted and appreciated. No clothing, please!
Send an email to claydestefano@gmail.com to arrange for a drop off time.
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE
Volunteer extraordinaire and Master Gardener Dianne Wassenich, along with Center members Sandy Baggett and Ann Whitus, have spent the closure grooming and repotting all our indoor plants, and they’re grooming, planting and redesigning the front Garden nearly every day!
Along with reorganizing and maximizing furnishings and amenities for our venues, we’re also beginning a facelift on the Garden Room, elevator lobby, and Main Parlor via a fresh coat of paint.
MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT REMAINS CRUCIAL
As of the end of June, the COVID closure has already negatively impacted our bottom line to the tune of $40,000 that we will not be able to recoup. In addition, our traditional grant funding sources have informed us that grant funds will be severely lacking in 2021, which could mean an additional loss of as much as $40,000.
For the past few years, proceeds from the private rentals of our various venues have made up approximately 75% of our operating budget. Dues-paying members, private donations, and Grants make up the remainder. With an anticipated budget shortfall of $80,000 in 2021, we need you and others to help keep us whole until we can begin to rebuild to our pre-COVID operations.
Please consider a Membership (renewal) or straight donation to the Price Center today -- Click here to securely process it online: https://www.price-center.org/how-you-can-help
“ART IN THE TIME OF COVID: CREATIVITY KNOWS NO BOUNDS CONTNUES”
Our ongoing online Art Show “Art in the Time Of COVID: Creativity Knows No Bounds” is also available for your enjoyment and inspiration on our Facebook page. New submissions are accepted daily, and art is posted in small lots on weekdays. To date, more than 70 local artists have submitted more than 200 works for posting. Email submissions to claydestefano@gmail.com
DONATE UNWANTED ITEMS TO PRICE CENTER FOR RESALE BY US
Thanks to the success of our initial efforts last fall and early winter, we plan to continue accepting your donations to help us raise funds through the resale of your items. If you have quality items you no longer need or have room to store, we are accepting them again. Smaller furniture, home accessories, housewares, and more welcome in good condition all accepted and appreciated. No clothing, please!
Send an email to claydestefano@gmail.com to arrange for a drop off time.
STAY INFORMED!
If you are on Facebook and/or Instagram, please consider liking us to stay more current and see helpful and encouraging posts daily. Find us on Facebook @Price Center & Garden and Instagram @smtxpricecenter.
We are also currently working on enhancements to our website to serve you better, including online new Membership Enrollment, Artists Agreements, and Venue Rental Inquiry forms, and more photo galleries, videos, and overall efficiency. Visit us @ price-center.org to monitor our progress and happenings.
Stay well. We hope to see you soon!