10/25/2026
✨️💕✨️💕 ATTENTION! 💕✨️💕✨️
This is the post I've been dreading having to make. Over the past 2 years, 10 months, & 14 days.... we have had the pleasure of serving our community here at The H.O.P.E. Project FREE Store. It has been an absolute honor & it's warmed our hearts more than we ever dreamed possible. That said, all good things must come to an end....
During our time here in Escanaba, we have struggled to keep the store up & running. We have lacked volunteers (who had regular availability) & struggled to keep the store staffed. Often running very short handed.... with the same few dedicated people pouring countless hours into the store, out of the goodness of their hearts. More often than not, the store either struggled to pay expenses or failed to do so.
We opened the store with the sole purpose of helping those in need within our community. It was never about money or turning a profit, which is something it absolutely does not do. However, I said all along that it did have to be self sufficient (aka pay for it's basic expenses).
This month, we were given notice of a rent increase which will take place at the beginning of November.... as well as another 6 month lease that needs to be signed. This is something that, given the circumstances (issues with the building that have gone unfixed for over 6 months, lack of reliable heat, etc) & the fact that the store often doesn't cover expenses as is.... I simply cannot do.
It comes with great sadness, that I must announce the closing of The H.O.P.E. Project FREE Store.
Our last day open will be Wednesday, November 25, 2026.
We will NOT be accepting ANY donations from here on out.... with the exception of toys for our Christmas Event (which will still take place as scheduled) & food/personal care items (which go out quickly).
There will also be some upcoming closures for appointments that we have, which will be posted on our page.
Prior to our closure, we hope that you all will continue to come in & shop! We still have lots of donations to sort & put out! Hopefully, we can get as much out as possible. Anything left over at the time of closure on November 25th, will be donated to other local charities.
As stated, our Christmas Event will go on as planned. Unfortunately, this will likely be our last year for that event, as well.
We are very saddened by this decision. Please know that it did not come lightly.
We are hopeful that, if it's meant to be.... this won't be the end. That said, if you have a retail rental space available (preferably in the Escanaba area) or know of one available, please reach out! If we could find a space that's within our budget & large enough to accommodate our endeavors.... we would be interested in potentially moving the store, rather than closing.
Unfortunately, time is not on our side & I'm not sure that we will be able to find what we are looking for.... in the time that we have left to do so.
We will be keeping all of our store fixtures & shelving for the time being, until we regroup & figure out just where we go from here. I've always said what's meant to be, will be....
We want to say THANK YOU to everyone within our community & beyond.... who has helped us along the way! Without all of you, we couldn't have done this for nearly as long as we have.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our page. Please be patient, as we have a lot going on in our personal lives, right now....
Again, if you have a retail space for rent at a reasonable price or know of one available, please reach out!
We will post any changes or updates to our page.
I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
