Klothes Kloset sales zoomed in 2014

The Klothes Kloset thrift store in Columbia Falls had a banner year in 2014, with sales shooting up more than 45 percent.

The nonprofit store at the north end of Nucleus Avenue was founded 45 years ago by the Church Women United group, an organization of five Columbia Falls churches — All Saints Episcopal Church, St. Richard’s Catholic Church, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church of Columbia Falls.

Jamie Meyer took over as director in March after Kris Skyberg retired. Meyer said the key to the store’s success has been advertising on social media and other venues.

Ten volunteers help at the store, which sells everything from clothing to home furnishings, except large items like beds and couches. Meyer said she gets lots of help from her sisters, Jody Gimbel and Jenny Johnson, as well as her mother, Barbara Buck.

This year, the store donated $15,000 to community organizations, including $1,500 each to Eagle Transit, Columbia Falls Fire Department, Three Rivers Ambulance and North Valley Senior Center.

The Klothes Kloset also donated $800 to the Boys and Girls Club and $500 each to CASA for Kids, Lighthouse Christian Home, Nurturing Center, Samaritan House, Abbie Shelter and toward community dinners. In addition, the Columbia Falls Food Bank received $200 a month, and several other organizations received between $100 and $400.

Meyer said she shopped at the store for 20 years before taking the job. She has three grown children, Chance, Mylissa and Kystine. Her husband Doug is the maintenance manager at the Pine Lodge in Whitefish.

The Klothes Kloset runs entirely on donated materials and is well known for its supply of gently-worn jeans and clothing, often at bargain prices.

In addition to cash donations, the Klothes Kloset women make quilts for less fortunate people, as well as lap robes and other items.

Meyer said she couldn’t manage the place without volunteers.

“I couldn’t have done any of it without volunteer help,” she said.

The Klothes Kloset is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.