Dinosaurs & Roses resale shop open on the valley’s east side

The third time is a charm. At least that is what Michele Morgan-Devore, executive director of Dinosaurs & Roses, hopes for after moving the store in November to its third location, 4310 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 6-9.

The resale shop, which specializes in offering affordable apparel, partners with various charities throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

“We want to be known in the community as a place where you can come as an individual and support a variety of causes,” Morgan-Devore said. “We partner with any charity that wants to partner with us.”

The store sells items that include furniture, clothes, shoes, toys, books, kitchen appliances and jewelry. Morgan-Devore welcomes any donation from the community, as long as it is in good condition.

Morgan-Devore sends partnered charities a coupon, which can be passed out to members. When the store is presented with the coupon, it donates 20 percent of a member’s sales to the designated charity.

The store has 28 partners that include organizations such as Foreclosed Upon Pets, the Animal Foundation, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children and the UNLV School of Dental Medicine.

“We want to be everyone’s charity,” Morgan-Devore said. “The purpose of the shop is really to reach out and touch as many people as possible.”

Morgan-Devore also makes it a priority to partner with individuals who need help throwing fundraisers for a specific cause, such as cancer or a personal tragedy.

Dinosaurs & Roses is the brainchild of Morgan-Devore, who was inspired to create it when the recession hit in 2007.

Morgan-Devore owns an advertising company called Morgan Specialties Inc., which sells promotional merchandise. She began donating slightly damaged clothes to people who were homeless.

“There were so many people that needed things,” Morgan-Devore said. “A lot of people lost their jobs. The need was so great that we just decided to open a thrift shop.”

She opened her first store in 2010 at the corner of Charleston and Jones boulevards.

After losing her lease at that location, Morgan-Devore moved the store to a warehouse at 2764 Lake Sahara Drive, Suite 110.

She operated from the warehouse until she found her “third and final home” on the east side. The warehouse still operates as a holding place for furniture.

People interested in viewing the warehouse can set up an appointment with Morgan-Devore.

People can also drop off items during regular store hours or for larger items, people can call the store to schedule a pickup.

“Everything is in good shape,” said Sue Haldeman, a customer. “It almost looks like a regular department store.”

At the store’s first location, Morgan-Devore had enough room to operate an art gallery and community space for local artists.

In order to continue supporting the art community, Morgan-Devore plans to start an arts and crafts fair in the front parking lot every second Sunday of the month starting in February.

She invites artists to contact her for more information.

“We want to create something different than other thrift shops,” Morgan-Devore said. “The store is like a community space. All you have to do is come in with a great idea and we say yes to most everything.”

Morgan-Devore chose the store’s new location because of its easy access to U.S. Highway 95.

Customer Samantha Villas noticed the store after passing by it in her car. She described herself as a thrift store junkie and said the store stood out because of its collection of items and cleanliness.

“There’s not a lot of clutter at this store and the prices are decent,” said Villas. “It also doesn’t smell in here, unlike other thrift stores.”

Morgan-Devore said she is flexible on the prices, so people are welcome to negotiate if they are short on cash.

“We take the dinosaurs in your closet, attic and garage and we turn them into roses,” Morgan-Devore said. “There’s a rose waiting to be picked by every person that walks in here.”

Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 702-277-3752 or visit dinosaursandroses.org.

Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686.