When walking into the Rose Garden, it looks just like any other thrift store: racks upon racks of clothes, little knick-knacks, some home décor. But the Rose Garden is anything but your typical neighborhood thrift shop. Owner Kelly Wiley opened the store for the specific purpose of helping formerly incarcerated women find their way in the world again. With the help of Wiley, these women are able to hold a job and wean their way back into public. Every dollar that comes into the Rose Garden goes straight to 2000 Roses, Wiley’s 501c3 nonprofit organization, which funds the same ideals that she built her store around. Because Wiley devotes the majority of her time and money to the Rose Garden and 2000 Roses, donations are gladly welcome and accepted.
I recently stopped by the shop to see what was going on with the store and the charity. Wiley mentioned that she is planning to construct a sewing room where the women can deconstruct different items and turn them into new products. For example, Wiley picked up a worn skirt with a pretty design, and suggested that the clothing item may be used as material for a pillow or a small handbag. Of course, Wiley’s women would be the creative minds behind the entire process, which gives them another credential when they’re ready
to hit the real world.
In order to donate or for more information about both the charity and the store, visit the 2000 Roses website or the store itself at 841 West Davis.
