Las Vegas nonprofit thrift store helps as many as it can

"Do they make me look like a movie star?" a woman asks, flashing a toothless grin as she points to sunglasses on her weathered, wrinkled face.

Jay Schwartz, 53, reassures Susie that the shades fit just right and tells the homeless woman she can take one pair for free. The scene is not uncommon for Schwartz, owner of the nonprofit store Thriftyway Charities, 4921 Vegas Drive. He knows his patrons' names, their stories. He is here to help.

"I listen, and they feel better," the southwest resident said of his customers who are often unemployed or homeless.

In 2005, Schwartz took over the store front that has been a thrift shop in some form for more than 30 years. The store sells everything from cars to kitchen utensils, he said, also motioning to racks of clothes priced at less than $3. Under his ownership, Thriftyway Charities caters to low-income customers, while also providing some gems to people looking for high-end goods on a bargain.

One such treasure -- an abstract drip painting signed Jackson Pollock -- came in a canister from an anonymous drop-off a few months ago.

"I unrolled it, and I was just in shock," said Schwartz of the art that he has been told could be worth upward of $100 million. "I can't even believe it myself."

Schwartz, 53, said he is still working to get it authenticated but would take reasonable offers as-is. People interested in purchasing the work must specifically ask about it because the painting is being kept off-site at a secure location, he said.

Not in the business to become a millionaire, Schwartz said he is not entirely focused on trying to sell the painting.

He instead works to ensure that the shop has fresh merchandise and stays organized with the daily donations that come through. He hopes to find grocery stores or cafes to donate canned goods and food so he can give the meals away to his customers in need like he did a few years back. Each month, he donates nearly 10,000 pounds of clothing to Big Brothers Big Sisters and gives toys and other items to Safe Nest and other charities.

As the sole employee, he also manages six to 10 volunteers who help run the shop, some who use the time to pay off court debts such as traffic tickets.

"This is what I was meant to do," Schwartz said of running a nonprofit. "It's not what I ever thought I'd do. It's not a word I ever said before even. But I wanted to help others."

Schwartz's loyalty goes full circle at the shop, though, he said, noting his honest customers and reliable donors.

An older man rummaged through the store's selection one senior deal day, searching for something he might need. No luck this time, though; he simply paid up his dues -- handing Schwartz a couple of bucks "for last time."

Schwartz said he didn't remember this particular customer but must have let him take a few items he couldn't afford once before. People always pay him back, he says, even if it's a few days later than they the date to which they had verbally agreed.

The shop also sees its regular donors -- some of whom drop off items daily -- boast of the second-hand store.

Monti Rock, a flamboyant disco legend from the '70s, said he supports the store as part of his loyalty to smaller charities.

About four times per week, he unloads donations -- a camera, dish set, various trinkets -- from his leopard-print car.

"I collect stuff and bring it to them," said Rock, a Las Vegas resident who also writes a column for "Gaming Today." "Jay does everything he can. He's great."

Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Jessica Fryman at jfryman@viewnews.com or 380-4535.