Leaders of a South Sound nonprofit say they’re desperate to find a place to store bikes, clothes, Christmas toys, school supplies and other items that have been collected for local foster children.
Capital Kids Connection received notice last week that it needs to leave a retail space in the Old Towne Plaza in Tumwater that it’s used rent-free for nearly three years, according to president Jennifer Myrick.
They were originally given a one-week deadline to vacate, but volunteers are trying to work out an extension until another donated space can be found.
“We see so many empty buildings, maybe there’s somebody out there that might be able to let us have the same kind of deal,” Myrick said.
Old Towne Plaza was owned by now-bankrupt developer Prium, and had remained bank-owned for several months until it was taken over by New Vision Investments LLC about two weeks ago, according to Joni Baker, a commercial broker with Prime Location.
“They’re local owners – they’re trying really hard to try to turn this place around,” she said.
And at the top of the list is getting some water leaks and structural defects taken care of in the building, including in the space that’s been occupied by Capital Kids Connection, according to Baker.
The new owners also have tenants who are interested in renting the space once the construction is finished, she added.
Baker said because of a lack of paperwork, the new owners weren’t aware a nonprofit was using the space until construction crews were getting ready to begin their work.
Capital Kids Connection was established about eight years ago by a group of judges, social workers and others in the community who wanted to help youths in foster care.
The organization collects school supplies, Christmas presents, winter coats and other items to distribute to foster children in Thurston, Mason and Cowlitz counties.
“We are the only nonprofit in the area that’s partnered with Sleep Country,” Myrick said.
On Friday afternoon, volunteers sent emails out, hoping to reach anyone who could help.
“We literally have no place to go, and no money to do it on,” Myrick wrote in an email that was sent to The Olympian.
A donated retail or office space would be ideal, but Capital Kids would accept free storage space in people’s garages and homes too, she said. The group has been using a 2,400-square-foot space, but they can probably consolidate everything into an 800-square-foot space, Myrick said.
Capital Kids Connection also need volunteers to help pack up and haul the donations to their new location.
The free stay at the Old Towne Plaza was appreciated, but Myrick said she knew the deal – which came out a verbal agreement with the previous owner – would likely come to an end when a new owner took over.
She didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, without enough time to find a new storage space.
“I totally understand – they’re a business, and I have no hard feelings whatsoever,” Myrick said. “Except for us it is a personal hardship to try and scramble. We have so many wonderful things we’ve collected from the community and through Sleep Country, I just don’t want them to go to waste.”
Anyone who wants to help can call Myrick at 360-951-0616.
