A medical emergency last year caused Jeff White and business partner Rose Gallardo to close the first version of the Charity Gives Back store on McHenry Avenue in Modesto. The Modesto location was prone to theft and high rent during its one-year operation and White's medical problems caused it to shut down for good.
After nearly dying and nearly three-month hospital stay, White is regaining his health and rebuilding his business, only this time in Ceres. Last November, while scouting locations for a new store, Charity Gives Back opened in Ceres at 1937 Mitchell Road.
"It's a cross between Antique Road Show and American Pickers type of store," said White.
White and Gallardo aim to offer collectibles, antiques, Americana, retro, folk art and other items in the store which is themed red, white and blue.
"I want it nice, I want it different, I don't want it to be a thrift store. We're perceived to be a thrift store. We're not going to advertise it as a thrift store. We can do consignment but we want good stuff."
He said the store offers good prices and that he prides himself in cleanliness.
White says he tries to get unique items and doesn't sell plastics but he does take garage sale leftovers that people want to get rid of. His store gleans through items and takes out things that are broken or chipped.
"Everything's got a little bit nicer quality," said White.
The store doesn't sell clothes because it doesn't have the room and since it donates donated clothing items to area churches.
The store actively seeks donated goods but cannot give donors a receipt for tax purposes since the business is not yet a non-profit organization.
"We're striving to get our 501(c)3," said White. "We're independent and pay our taxes."
The store assists in unloading items and arranges to pick up garage sale leftovers.
As the name suggests, Charity Gives Back gives a portion of its proceeds to charity by participating with Process Pink Payments, a merchant services company, which gives to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. A percentage of every dollar in a credit card transaction is given to those who are underinsured and uninsured to receive free mammograms.
The former Pentecostal church pastor said he has been an entrepreneur since the age of 27, running his own body shop and restaurant. Today he has a number of other business enterprises to help support his wife of 34 years and himself since neither White nor Gallardo take any proceeds from the business.
"I do a lot of things."
He patented a Senior Blanco tortilla grill that sold in 45 Bed, Bath & Beyond stores since 2004. White also has InstoreShoppers.com which promotes business interests.
The store has a website at charitygivesback.com and may be reached at 567-2273.
Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; and closed Mondays.
