Thrift store and gallery donates to charities across Las Vegas Valley

You know what they say about another man s trash? It could be another man s treasure. That s an ideal close to Las Vegas resident and business owner Michele Morgan-Devore s heart.

That s something I truly believe and hold tight to, she said.

Morgan-Devore is the director of operations for Dinosaurs & Roses, a thrift shop and gallery that opened at 6029 W. Charleston Blvd. last fall.

The nonprofit group is unlike any other in the Las Vegas Valley. Every dime generated from the sale of gently used items ( clothing, electronics, house wares and many other common everyday items) is donated to local charities.

More than 40 artists occupy studios on the facility s second floor. None of them pays rent; instead, they have agreed to donate 35 percent of profits from the sale of their work to the facility s cause.

Morgan-Devore collects no salary for her work, and she splits her time between the nonprofit and a marketing and event planning business she has owned for 19 years.

This is where my heart is, she said. I opened this place because I wanted to do some good. I think we are finally getting there.

Morgan-Devore said the idea to open a thrift store for charity came to her after a conversation with a friend last year.

There are so many people hurting in this community, she said. I wanted to do what I could to help because I m in a position to help.

The shop has donated money to charities including the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Caring Place and the Women s Development Center.

Morgan-Devore said she isn t picky about whom she wants to help.

We don t focus on just one charity, she said. We want to help animals, kids, the elderly, veterans, the homeless. Everyone.

According to Morgan-Devore, the store is run completely by donation.

If there s something in your closet you re sick of looking at, don t throw it out. Bring it to us, she said. We will clean it up and put it out for sale, where not only will it get a new life with someone else, but the money it generates will help people who are struggling.

Artist Theresa Broten s The Art Lick Boutique occupies a gallery upstairs. She said she heard about what Morgan-Devore was doing through a friend.

To have a gallery and studio space rent-free is unheard of, she said. But to know that the money you donate from the work that sells will go to a good cause and not into someone s pocket is even more unheard of. I had to be a part of it. I m so proud to be associated with this place.

Morgan-Devore is particularly proud of the nonprofit s Second Sunday events, in which people have an opportunity to browse the galleries and the store from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the promise of 10 percent off a thrift store purchase after buying a piece of art.

We have art for $5 and for $5,000, she said. There s something for everyone here. All the artists are here. It s a great time.

The next event is scheduled for May 8. Second Sunday s take place on the second Sunday of each month.

Morgan-Devore said she would love to partner with more charities and hopes that more will come forward .

I hope we can do more good, she said. We want to hold fundraisers here. We want to help anyone we can, and I m hoping the community at large will support our cause.

The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule a free pickup for donated items, call 277-3752.

Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Amanda Donnelly at adonnelly@viewnews.com or 380-4535.