The Auntie Helen’s thrift store has moved to 4127 30th Street near the Vons supermarket in North Park after the rent was raised at its old location to the non-profit organization which still supplies free laundry services to people with HIV and AIDS.
The old location at 4028 30th Street is closed, but there was an 80 percent off sale last week that ended April 5. An observer peering into the windows of the departed business on Saturday noticed a large amount of miscellaneous items scattered all over the place.
The phone number for Auntie Helen’s was disconnected as of Monday, and executive director Michael Dudley could not be reached for comment. A worker on Saturday at the new location said the move occurred because of a significant rise in rent.
Auntie Helen’s is the third major business to move from the area in four months. Mary’s Beauty Supply was located on University Ave. at 30th Street for many years, but an employee said Saturday the landlord doubled its rent to $4,000 a month.
The beauty supply store cut hair for women and men and offered manicures and pedicures. They relocated to 4598 30th Street in North Park in late March. A “green” medical clinic is now at the old location.
Chester’s Furniture was a fixture in North Park at different locations for 67 years. They could no longer pay the rent on University Avenue and they suddenly went out of business in December 2012. They marked down their remaining furniture and even gave away lamps and other items with a purchase.
Several days after Chester’s closed its doors, a notice was attached to the door noting they had been sued by their landlord for past due rent.
Operations at the new location for Auntie Helen’s are still underway, but it appears the store has a smaller amount of space. Its Web site erroneously lists the new store in the 92102 zip code and has an incorrect address for the old store.
“We’ve been open for 23 years and every inch of our old store has collected many items – too many – and since we’re too lazy and old to move them to the new location, please visit us at the old location and fill a basket or two with great finds!” states the Web site, which urges customers to “pick up an odd gift for the friend who has everything!”
At the new location, a proclamation by a former City Council that honored Michael Dudley is displayed on the wall.
News accounts say Auntie Helen’s had to return grant funding to the County because its executive director allegedly used money for dental work and unauthorized expenses.
Gary Cheatham founded Auntie Helen’s in a garage in 1988 to help one person with AIDS. Through time it moved into a grassroots, community based agency to serve thousands of people with AIDS, according to its Web site, which says there are 25 volunteers who are still doing the free laundry services.
The current board of directors for Auntie Helen’s doesn’t include any names, with the Web site saying the information for that is pending with a “page in progress.” The Web site also says Auntie Helen’s has been voted the best thrift store in North Park for 14 years in a row.
The agency was also named as a National Point of Light by the White House in 1991 and the Web site says the organization received an “apostolic blessing” from Pope John Paul II.
