“I’ve had a career. I wanted to do something fun.” – Paula

Life has come full circle for Paula. Her family moved to Santa Rosa in 1955 and in the 1960s she remembers accompanying her mom on shopping trips to G & G Market. Today she works in the same building that originally housed G & G—except now it’s home to ReStyle Marketplace, a thrift store run by Catholic Charities.

After a 30-year career at Exchange Bank, Paula wanted her next adventure to include doing something fun. She enrolled in a hospitality program at Empire College where she studied event planning. Her background in finance and new planning skills came together when she took a job at ReStyle as the store’s lead.

One of four employees, she runs the register, makes the bank deposits, helps plan store events and coordinates volunteer display designers. Volunteers are  critical to the success of  ReStyle, where more than 1,000 people helped out last year.

Volunteer Crew
Volunteers from Redwood Empire Industries (California Human Development Corporation)

ReStyle is more than a thrift store, it’s a gathering place for the community. Within the store there’s a room used for art classes, financial planning and nutrition seminars—most typically free to attend. Recently two high school students used the store for their senior project,  giving  away free prom dresses to needy high school students.

Filled with interesting items and a rotating schedule of community events, there’s always something new at ReStyle.

Art gallery classroom
The art gallery features framed art available for purchase and serves as a classroom/meeting space for local groups. 

ReStyle Marketplace, 1001 W. College Ave. in the G & G Market Shopping Center, Santa Rosa. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. www.restylemarketplace.com

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