DesertARC Store Opens For Business

PALM DESERT – DesertARC is now in the retail business.

The group formerly known as the Foundation of the Retarded opened its first store Thursday in Palm Desert near the intersection of Country Club Dr. and Washington St.

Richard Sells, business operations director, is enthusiastic about the venture.

“The store is magnificent! This store could be anyplace: El Paseo, Rodeo Drive!”

One major reason why DesertARC is diving into the retail sector: the economy. This fiscal year, DesertARC is losing at leastthree percentin state funding which amounts to about $350,000. This figure does not include the possible dip in private donations.

DesertARC joins the ranks of other desert organizations, such as Angel View and Desert AIDS Project, that manage a retail store. But what separates this store from the others: uniforms. DesertARC has all types of them from hospital scrubs to school uniforms.

“If it doesn’t fit, they can buy it and bring it back here,” says Michelle Ash, the store’s manager. “They don’t have to go out of town to do that. It saves time. It saves them money, too, because our prices are better than what you’re going to find anywhere.”

DesertARC will also take care of any embroidery that certain groups, like sports team, may need. The embroidery will be done by DesertARC’s “clients” at its Palm Desert headquarters.

Michelle Ash hopes the community will start shopping at DesertARC for all of its uniform needs. Her goal is to open more stores in the Coachella Valley.

DesertARC is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. There is no better way to celebrate a golden anniversary than with a golden opportunity.

DesertARC retail store is located at 77-682 Country Club Dr., Suite C, in Palm Desert, (760) 200-0564.