SCRAP Tri-Cities closing its doors Sept. 30

The Tri-Cities’ first creative reuse center is closing its doors this month.

SCRAP Tri-Cities in downtown Kennewick will have its last day Sept. 30. It opened its doors on West First Avenue in 2015.

“It’s been really great. And it’s going to be very sad to see it go,” director Rachael Gale said.

The center has loyal customers and a strong group of volunteers, but overhead costs and other factors mean it’s unfortunately time to say goodbye, she said.

All items are 50 percent off as the center closes. It has stopped taking donations of art and craft items.

SCRAP Tri-Cities is part of the nonprofit SCRAP USA network, which originated with the popular SCRAP Portland.

The local SCRAP sells art and craft supplies at affordable prices, offers classes and is known as a champion of reuse, community and the arts.

It’s put on some unique and popular events, from a Rebel Craft Rumble to a Trashion Fashion show.

Maggie Moon of Kennewick, who was shopping at SCRAP Tri-Cities on Thursday, said the center has become a favorite spot and she’s sad to see it close.

“It makes arts and crafts a lot more accessible to a lot of people,” she said.

Gale said she might try to hold pop-up material exchanges in the future.

She’s grateful to SCRAP Tri-Cities’ loyal customers, volunteers and community supporters, such as Confluent Space Tri-Cities, Adventures Underground and Wheelhouse Community Bike Shop. She encouraged people to support small businesses and nonprofits.

SCRAP’s hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. It’s at 323 W. First Ave.

This story was originally published September 3, 2017 at 12:38 PM with the headline "SCRAP Tri-Cities closing its doors Sept. 30."