The Ground Floor: Cedar Rapids' Daisy Rack helps support Young Parents Network

Brad Kiburz came up with the idea for the Daisy Rack thrift store to address the needs of two different organizations.

First, Crazy Daisy, an upscale women's clothing and home-furnishings consignment store owned by Kiburz's fiancee, Heidi Sills, needed more space and a way to move items that had been in inventory for a while. Second, the Young Parents Network, a nonprofit social services agency for which Kiburz serves as a board member and volunteer, needed financial support for its programs.

Kiburz's idea was to create a separate thrift store using the older inventory from Crazy Daisy - those that had reached the end of the consignment selling period - and other donated items. The merchandise is offered for sale at bargain prices, and proceeds are given to Young Parents Network.

“(Crazy Daisy has) an agreement with consignors that if their items don't sell after a certain amount of time, then they are donated somewhere,” Kiburz said, “and some people don't want to consign at all, they just want to donate.”

Daisy Rack opened about a year ago with Kiburz as manager - the “Daisy Dude” as he is known by the staff.

The thrift store initially operated out of a separate storefront across the street from Crazy Daisy on Third Avenue SE. Earlier this month, it moved into a 550-square-foot space within Crazy Daisy. The new space previously served as a storage area and an old office.

“We dove in, widened the doors, painted and put up racks,” Kiburz said. “We're hoping that by lowering our overhead and creating useful retail space out of an underutilized area, we are able to provide even more for Young Parents Network.”

Brian Stutzman, executive director for Young Parents Network, said Daisy Rack has generated more than $7,000 so far for Young Parents Network.

Much of that money has been used to purchase diapers and baby care products to stock the We Care Shop, an incentive shop where clients of Young Parents Network can purchase needed items using points earned by making healthy behavior choices for their families.

Daisy Rack also has served as a resource for clients who have clothing needs for job interviews.

“It's a cool thing they've done for us,” Stutzman said of Kiburz and Sills. “They found a unique way to support a nonprofit agency in a nontraditional way. We're grateful they chose to pursue it.”

At a glance

• Company: Daisy Rack
• Owner: Heidi Sills
• Manager: Brad Kiburz
• Address: 712 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids
• Phone: (319) 362-3615
• Website: www.shopthedaisy.com

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