Kelsee’s Purse Thrift Shop announces reopening after turn of events

By Mike Hazlip—
After announcing permanent closure last month, the owners of a thrift shop at Copperwood Square have decided to reopen their small business.

Kelsee’s Purse owner Ildiko Carpenter told The Sentinel she was able to come to an agreement with the landlord that will allow the business to stay. Carpenter said she could not give any details of the new terms, but Kelsee’s Purse will continue to operate at the same location with a new focus on furniture.

In a statement last month, Carpenter had said the decision to close was due to a lack of revenue to pay rent and other expenses. She said her lease was up for renewal and back-rent was owed.

However, in a social media announcement last week, the business publicized its change of plans and said it was reorganizing its clothing section and said donations will be accepted again in a few weeks. New hours of operation have not yet been announced.

The thrift shop had seen a number of setbacks since opening in the first quarter of 2019. Multiple reports by The Sentinel show the business was affected by a drop in traffic as a result of construction projects as well as a pipe break that reportedly flooded the store.

Copperwood Plaza is managed by San Diego-based Strategic Asset Management Group. Carpenter told The Sentinel previously the company has been understanding with COVID-related loss of income, but she has not seen the same attention with the recent maintenance issues.

A spokesman for Strategic Asset Management Group, Dan Chiavario, told The Sentinel previously the company works to correct any problems related to maintenance and repairs.

Items donated to the Kelsee’s Purse are either sold at the location or given away to area homeless. A prior story from The Sentinel reported that Carpenter and members of her church visit homeless throughout Citrus Heights once a week to drop off clothing and personal items, along with a hot meal.

Kelsee’s Purse is located at 7044 Sunrise Blvd., suite 1, next to Planet Fitness.