Remodeled thrift store to open in Blanding

San Juan County residents may have noticed that the Gone Thriftin’ thrift store is getting a makeover, along with a name change.
The building and the business have been purchased by Perry Dyer, who is renovating not only the building but the business as well. I met with her last week, and she walked me through all the changes shoppers have to look forward to.
First and foremost, the business will no longer be Gone Thriftin’. Dyer changed the name to Gilded Cactus Revival and wasted no time replacing the sign out front.
The new name is only the beginning. New additions include – but are not limited to – an upcycle station, a charm bar, a hat bar, a female empowerment wall, and a dedicated room for local artists.
The upcycle station will sit in the back of the store and feature a wall of craft supplies including buttons, ribbons, glue guns, paper, fabric markers, thread, yarn, and more.
Those supplies will be used to “upcycle” items purchased at the store, giving old clothing and thrifted treasures a second life. An idea book will also be available to help spark creativity for shoppers who want to try something new but aren’t sure where to start.
The charm bar will sit near the front of the store and feature bracelet and necklace charms and chains that allow shoppers to create their own custom jewelry pieces. Dyer hopes the charm bar will attract tourists looking to create a unique keepsake while visiting the area.
In addition to the charm bar and upcycle station, Dyer hopes to add a hat bar. This station will feature a heat press and a variety of patches that can be added to hats, jackets, bags, and other thrifted items.
Basically, Dyer is creating more than another thrift store, she is building a space where shoppers can create experiences and something uniquely their own – right in the store.
Dyer said one of her biggest goals is to support girls and women in the community. To help accomplish that, she is creating a female empowerment wall within the shop.
On this wall, shoppers will find inspirational quotes from female leaders along with items designed to help girls reach their goals. The wall may feature business attire for FBLA competitions, cleats for soccer players, softball equipment, interview clothing, and other items that can help remove barriers and create opportunities.
Helping girls access the things they need for sports, jobs, and education is not the only way Gilded Cactus Revival plans to give back to the community.
Dyer is also creating a complete local artist room where artists can display and sell their work. Everything from paintings and jewelry to handmade crafts and other creative projects will have a place in the store. The room will give local artists another opportunity to get their work in front of shoppers while adding even more variety to the inventory.
In addition to all these new changes, shoppers can look forward to $1 clothing bins, apartment starter kits, a chalkboard wall where residents can request items they are searching for, mural walls both inside and outside for fun photos, and eventually an entire furniture room.
Gilded Cactus Revival is Dyer’s third business. She previously owned and operated both a pastry shop and a donut shop and is no stranger to entrepreneurship. While she may be new to the thrift industry, she is not new San Juan County nor serving customers or building businesses.
Right now, Perry and her husband, Branden Dyer, are busy repainting the entire store, adding enamel to the concrete floors, expanding the bathroom to meet ADA accessibility standards, and putting the finishing touches on the many new features throughout the building.
The soft opening is scheduled for June 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The grand opening, when all the bells and whistles are expected to be ready for the public, will take place July 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Community members are invited to stop by, explore the new space, and see what Gilded Cactus Revival has become at 708 South Main Street in Blanding. Shoppers can learn more at gildedcactusrevival.com.