In this episode of Talking Business, Shelly Peterson - Founder and CEO of Promoting Me, LLC. and Holly Hansen - Community Development Director for the City of Cloquet  are talking about the Hidden Gem of Northern Lights Community Action.  Heather Wright opened Northern Lights Community Action at 901 Cloquet Avenue, a new nonprofit Thrift Store, and community action agency, in July 2021. The retail store is far-reaching beyond the storefront. It is about making connections and helping those in need get what they need at a low cost.

They are a secondhand retail store offering goods donated by the community and various handmade crafted items. Heather felt compelled to open this store with the closures of both Goodwill and Salvation Army in Cloquet, leaving a hole locally in the retail industry for this niche.

Items in the store are labeled by colored dots that correlate to a simple pricing guide, and community agencies also support a store voucher program. Thus far, the store has also hosted several sponsorship drives for school supplies, warm clothing drives, and adopt a family for the holidays.

Heather also owns NorthStar Community Services, which provides services for people with disabilities, and this new thrift store offers an employment opportunity for several clients with disabilities. Other employees also volunteer their time.

Community donations have been significant, with a donation barn at the rear of the building.

Kim Randa has recently been hired as the store’s new executive director, and she is excited about creating opportunities for the store.

Thank you, Heather,  for investing your time, energy, and passion in our Cloquet downtown.