NU2U Resale Shop Benefits Washtenaw Christian Academy

A local private school hopes to raise money with a new business that offers affordable pre-owned goods in a department store setting.

NU2U, located at 1311 E. Michigan Ave. in the old Fashion Bug location, is a stylish resale store that looks like a department store, but sells goods at prices many families can afford. All profits made at the store will be given to Washtenaw Christian Academy, also in Saline.

NU2U opened its doors on Sept. 12 and is open six days a week.

Store manager Lou Velker explained the location.

“Originally we were looking at a space on Carpenter Road,” he said. “When this space became available it was a perfect fit. This is a very nice store.”

The facility offers a large, warm, and roomy environment already set up for retail. Volunteeres worked to transform the old fashion outlet into NU2U.

At first glance, one might think the layout of the store was professionally merchandised. Volunteer Lisa Donat played a major role in designing the aesthetic.  Donat is mother of nine children, eight of whom attend WCA.

“Having a resale store for the Christian school has been a dream of mine for a long time,” she said.

To complete the look of the store, display units, shelving and fixtures were donated by , the venerable Saline gift shop that that is closing its doors after 36 years. 

Shayla Sanders and Nikki Oster recently stopped by to shop in the furniture department

“My first impression of the store was ‘wow,'” Oster said. “I couldn’t believe how much they have in here—not just clothes but TVs and everything else.”  

“I saw boots in the window and have been waiting for them to open,” Sanders said.

The store features gently used clothing, shoes, house wares, furniture, toys, books, sporting goods, jewelry, CDs and DVDs, holiday items, electronics, dishware and more. 

The clothing departments for men, women, boys, girls and babies. Clothes that are donated should be in good condition and stain free.

Items not included in the store inventory and not accepted for donation are computers and accessories, mattresses, metal desks, gas-powered equipment, hide-a-beds, water beds, upright pianos, organs, large appliances and car seats.

The NU2U school fundraising model may be new for Saline, but it's been used on the west side of the state. The first such store in Michigan was in Kalamazoo and the idea has since caught on. 

“There are a group of schools on the west side of the state that have stores,“ Velker said. “One man started the idea, and we are realizing that it worked for schools in other areas.”

All monies are transparen, Velker, and any profits beyond what is needed for store operations goes directly to WCA. Donations to the store are tax deductible.

Volunteers are needed to help keep the store up and running smoothly. 

“My role here is to work with 20 to 30 volunteers, creating the schedule and making things happen,” said Velker. 

Ideally, he is looking for retired persons or others from the community to volunteer 3-6 hours per week. Duties include cashier and stock placement. Volunteers are not required to be affiliated with WCA.

NU2U is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Donated items are accepted at the rear of the building during hours of operation.