Charitable partnership

The large building at the corner of Charleston and Jones boulevards is quickly losing all traces of its former life as a bustling business center as the lower level thrift store expands its offerings and work by area artists fills the walls and offices upstairs. Also added downstairs was a large library and community meeting room.

Although its mission from the start has been to help local charities, Dinosaurs and Roses is boosting its efforts, partnering with Nevada AIDS Project to bring in new and gently used home furnishings and accessories - many from the World Market Center Las Vegas. Once part of the Las Vegas Design Center, Suite Charity found a new and welcoming home within the Dinosaurs and Roses thrift shop.

Dennis Dunn, executive director of Nevada AIDS Project, said he is excited about the new venture and is looking forward to the expanded clientele that visits the thrift shop and its various activities.

Michele Morgan-Devore, who opened the nonprofit thrift shop nearly two years ago, is equally excited and is eager to see how the partnership will benefit more charities in the valley.

"It's the power of two charities versus one," she said.

In addition to bringing in an assortment of home furnishings and accessories, Nevada AIDS Project has opened a small gallery with seasonal decorations, most of which come from exhibitors at the biannual Las Vegas Market.

Market exhibitors' wares spill out onto the thrift shop's main floor as well, said Morgan-Devore. For example, one corner of the shop has been set aside for linens and bedding, most of which are new or used only for displays.

And because the shop had more than 5,000 books, the owner opened a library/dedicated book room.

"The more you buy, the cheaper it is," she said. "It's like bagels, buy 12 and get one free."

And with Dunn on board helping coordinate activities, more artists are being sought to rent the mini galleries and walls upstairs.

Morgan-Devore said she doesn't want to see any bare walls in the second-floor's hallways.

The upstairs gallery area also is home to Plume, which sells luxury items and samples from the World Market Center Las Vegas, as well as Life Long Dreams, a nonprofit organization that helps special needs children develop their artistic and creative talents.

Also upstairs is a kitchen that local groups can rent for meetings or cooking and baking classes, Morgan-Devore said.

The main idea behind her efforts is to fit the needs and help raise funds for as many groups and organizations as possible, she said.

In addition to the regular operating hours, Dinosaurs and Roses continues to sponsor its Second Sunday event, which showcases the artists and their works and provides activities for families, and pet adoptions each Saturday through Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc.

Dunn said they also plan to open on the first Friday of each month, tentatively scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering an alternative to those who appreciate local art but do not want to venture downtown.

Also in the works is a spring warehouse sale. Morgan-Devore said their warehouse is full of items that can't fit on the floor and shelves in the thrift store, including a vast assortment of chandeliers.

In the meantime, anyone who wants to shop the warehouse just has to ask one of the staff members, she said.

For additional information, contact Dinosaurs and Roses at 6029 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-258-1187.