Published February 5,2010

SLU’s underground business known as the Re-Cellar in the basement of Reiff sells furniture, lights, hangers, binders, mugs or other odds and ends for rooms! A fantastically economical solution to trucking down to Wal-Mart for “fairly” priced room accessories, the Re-Cellar is changing gears as they plan to change location.

In 2005 several students worked with the Conservation Council and Facilities Operations to create a Reuse Program. It was at an Environmental Action Organization (EAO) meeting that the “SLU Reuse Initiative” idea hatched. The program aims “to prevent usable items from ending up in the dumpsters when students move out of their dorms at the end of the year” as stated on The Green Pages of the St. Lawrence website.

With increasing interest and progression, the SLU Reuse Initiative, consisting of a spring collection and one major fall sale, transitioned into a year round campus thrift store run by students known as the: Re-Cellar. In previous years, the left-over items were donated to local charities. Now students have constant access.

Danielle Roslevich ‘13, who is responsible for finding the new Re-Cellar site, became involved with the initiative last semester. Roslevich explains the current status, “We are in the middle of cleaning up the old Java Barn so that we can relocate the thrift store.  The location is much larger and more convenient.  We are hoping to have it up and running within the next month.  We are also trying to find a new name that suits the business.”

The Re-Cellar provides paying positions for three students each semester “collecting, cleaning, sorting and selling gently used and working items of furniture, small appliances, electronics, clothing, school supplies, amazing costumes for all your party needs and many other miscellaneous items that would otherwise have been sent to the landfill.”

“It is the way forward in sustainability.  This should help in students’ efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle,” describes Roslevich ’13.

The Re-Cellar sells many items for lower-than-Wal-Mart prices as most are sold for less than a dollar. Larger items, such as coveted furniture and large electronics, sell for less than twenty dollars. All funds from the sale go toward helping the program continue by paying employee salaries, advertising costs and  operating expenses.

Students have the opportunity to not only benefit from this initiative but can help the Re-Cellar thrive and promote sustainability initiatives at St. Lawrence. “Students can donate gently used items, such as clothing, shoes, electronics, dishes, appliances, furniture, school supplies, bedding, and any other odds and ends, instead of throwing them away.  We usually have all of these items at the Re-Cellar, so everyone should stop by and do some sustainable shopping!” says Roslevich ’13.

Faculty and staff also may donate items as long as students could potentially have interest. Donation boxes will be located in dorms when students are moving out and larger items may be accepted and removed by volunteers. Pay attention to SLU Wire for times and locations for the Fall Sale in addition to further updates.