Dinosaurs & Roses to raise funds for charity at Downtown Summerlin
It's an opportunity to purchase new merchandise. It's also the chance to help a good cause.
Downtown Summerlin's pop-up store, Dinosaurs & Roses, has vacated its 2,000-square-foot location near Macy's for a larger one in the same shopping destination. It's now in a 4,000-square-foot space in the southernmost part of Downtown Summerlin near Trader Joe's at 11035 Lavender Hill, Suite 170. The store faces Red Rock Resort.
Founder Michelle S. Morgan said the larger space, which is next to the UPS Store, opened with no signage, which was challenging, so she set out A-frame signs to try to drum up attention.
The new space was made possible by an anonymous donor and offers high-end items -- in keeping with Downtown Summerlin's image -- but at discounted prices. Inside is a treasure trove of items, such as wall art, furniture, home decor items, jewelry, handbags, candle holders, gift cards and other merchandise. All of it is new, with many items donated from merchandisers or manufacturers. Some of the furniture comes directly from the World Market Center Las Vegas, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway.
Prices are significantly discounted to encourage more sales. Morgan said those sales funded her true quest: an initiative to use the proceeds to help those less fortunate. It came about after a number of agencies reached out to her to help those in need with items they couldn’t provide.
"What we've become is an emergency resource," she said.
With the new location, Dinosaurs & Roses can turn its attention to further its altruistic endeavor: providing people with needed items. Sometimes it's as simple as sheets so the family's children don’t have to sleep directly on the floor. Other times, it's bath towels so the family doesn't have to make do with kitchen towels.
People are referred by local organizations, which regularly provide services to such residents.
"It seems like we're being inundated with these request forms from all these different agencies," Morgan said. "We have a list a mile long of people (in need); I've had people call me and say, 'I've gone to all these different (organizations), and they tell me it's going to be three months before I can get clothes for my children.' "
Jay Fraley heads the referral program and hands out items to those in need. Referrals are handled each Monday and can see anywhere from 25 to 40 individuals or families each week. Some people need dressers, couches or TV stands. One man was referred by the Problem Gambling Center and needed a suit for his new start in life.
Downtown Summerlin shoppers could make a difference by purchasing an item at Dinosaurs & Roses.
"You can buy a $100 piece of art or a $20 pillow and know that every penny will go into this initiative to help people," Morgan said.
Dinosaurs & Roses also operates a 6,000-square-foot thrift store at 4310 E. Tropicana Ave. It is stocked with items donated by the community.
"I look at what they're asking for, and if we have it in the store, it's a first-come, first-served basis," Fraley said. "If we have it, they get it. Yes, they're in government housing now. Yes, they're no longer homeless. But they don't have anything. They're sleeping on the floor."
Fraley said it was hard not to have his eyes tear up when he heard their stories.
"I had a mother who was buying microwave dinners and walking down to the gas station to use their microwave," he said. "So, we gave her a microwave and dishes so she could cook for her children."
Some of the charities the store works with are: Nevada 211, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Aid for AIDS of Nevada, Jewish Family Services and HELP of Southern Nevada. Morgan said anyone referred by a like-minded charity or organization would receive help immediately. Professionals, such as doctors or schoolteachers, also can refer people.
"Our primary focus now is to meet the growing demand for our services," said Frank Bartoli, grant writer for the organization, "and that demand has grown significantly."
"I do it because it's sort of an addiction," Morgan said. "When you see how you touch someone's life and the effect it has, it's (indescribable). One young mother had no outfit for her growing 3-month-old child. We're in Summerlin. We're fortunate. I've been blessed with healthy kids and a successful career, but when you see the other side of the coin, must people don't think about what's really out there. It feels good to know that one small act of kindness can change another person's life for the things we take for granted every day."
Morgan also offers space to organizations that want to hold fundraisers in the store. Visit dinosaursandroses.org or call 702-277-3752.
To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.
