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Everything You Need to Know About Our Flash Sale for Charity!

Goodbye, credenza.

I wish it wouldn’t be obnoxious to write this entire post in all CAPS and exclamations! That’s how excited I am. We are. Today, I’m breaking down all of the details on our Flash Sale for Charity!

It started as a small idea, something Scott and I have been wanting to do in some capacity for a while. Every year, our block holds a family yard sale, and we line the street with tables and fill them up with goods. There’s a box of a few dozen donuts floating around, a pitcher of iced coffee, and if we’re lucky, it’s a sunny day in August, too! It’s fun, and it builds community. We’ve been heading up the organization for the annual sale for years (starting in our old condo building!), and at the start of every summer, our neighbors inevitably begin to ask when we’ll send out that inaugural email.

But this year, we thought, what if we could improve on that concept? What if it was bigger than us? Friends, here’s the thing. In doing what we do here on the blog, we may be gifted items that we don’t have a need for (and therefore, are never shared here), and although there are times where we can pass this item to a family or friend, there are also times where we can’t. Not to mention, we’re inspired all. the. time. to make changes to our home, especially as our family ebbs and flows and our style evolves!

As home updates are made, we’ll pass along, donate or sell items. But since the closing of The Pet Shop (in which we donated 10% of our proceeds to animal rescue), we’ve been itching to give back again – more so than when we see a need or call out on social media. Initially, we thought we could host an Instagram sale in which the proceeds went to charity, but then we said, what if we asked some friends to join us? And that turned into, and what if we could get donations from local Chicago vintage shops? Which lead to, and what if our longtime sponsors could chip in towards a raffle, too? And then, we’ll need an awesome venue and some refreshments and music and, and…

Here’s everything you need to know!

Our Generous Sponsors

Schoolhouse • Rejuvenation • Article • Unison • Sydney Hale Co. • Framebridge • Hygge & West • Josh Young Design House • BISSELL • St. Jane Chicago Hotel • Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.Strangelovely • The Savoy FleaHumboldt House

What is the Flash Sale?

Think of this pop-up as a well curated rummage sale. We asked Nicole from Making It Lovely and Kyla from House of Hipsters to join us, and they dived in without a second of hesitation. Each of us has chosen a local charity that is particularly important to us, and at the end of the Flash Sale, all of the money raised will be split equally between these groups. Our whole goal is to reach a wide home-loving Chicago audience to attend the sale and raise as much money as possible!

We’re hard at work behind the scenes to make the sale an enjoyable experience with music, coffee, and an opportunity to mingle and shop while benefitting some great causes. Some items you can expect to find at the sale (aside from our old media credenza, sniff sniff) range from nightstands to bed frames, macrame wall hangings to framed artwork, vintage Pyrex to pottery, marble bistro tables to chairs, light fixtures and textiles and a whole range of beautiful items to display on your open shelves!

Where will the funds go?

All money raised will be split equally and donated to CRISP (Chicagoland Rescue and Intervention Support Program), Jackson Chance Foundation and Housing Forward.

When and where is it?

The short answer:  April 6 • 9 AM – 1 PM • 159 N Racine / Unit 3W / Chicago 

The long(er) answer: The sale will take place in a large light-filled photo studio in the West Loop, seen below! Please note that it’s an old building, and the studio is located on the 3rd floor of a walk-up building. I’m still working on securing volunteers to help you carry any large furniture you purchase; if that volunteer might be you, please email us or fill out the form at the bottom of this post! (We need 3 more people.)

Where will I park?

There are very few parking spots on Racine in front of the studio building, but you might have luck on Lake or Randoph. Most street parking is free, but please plan accordingly.

I never carry cash. Will you take my credit card?

You bet! For ease of keeping track of funds, credit/debit cards or Venmo is preferred. We will not be providing change for cash. We’ll accept cash only if you have exact change, thank you for understanding!

You mentioned a raffle…

This is where many of our incredibly generous sponsors come in. We’ll be hosting a raffle of prizes that include everything from $500 shopping sprees(!) to a boutique hotel overnight(!) to homeware bundles worth over $400(!) to our favorite mop-and-vacuum-in-one(!) to so much more. Raffle tickets will be $5/each or 5/$20, and every last dollar will go to our charities. We’ll draw the winning tickets after the Flash Sale has ended, and we will contact those lucky people directly! In other words, you do not need to be present for the raffle drawing.

Can I arrive early?

Although we won’t be letting anyone into the studio before 9 AM, you’re more than welcome to arrive earlier than that. The good stuff will sell first and fast (obviously), and doors will open at 9 AM sharp!

Can I help?

Yes! Right now, we’re accepting help in two ways:

1| Donations: If you’re in Chicagoland and have home goods to donate, please send us an email as soon as possible or fill out the form at the bottom of this post. You know those bookends / end tables / throw pillows / rug (and on and on) that you were hoping to sell on Craigslist? Consider donating it to our sale instead! Funds made from the purchase of your item will go directly to our charities. We’re looking for gently used furniture and home decor that holds value. Think of it this way: If it’s something you’d be excited to score in a vintage shop (or maybe did score in your former-style-life), imagine how excited someone else will be to find that treasure while donating to three amazing organizations?

2| Muscles: If you don’t mind heavy lifting, please send us an email as soon as possible or fill out the form at the bottom of this post. We’ll need you to help carry larger items down stairs and out to cars.

Will Lucy be there? Will CC?

Sadly, no (on both counts). But CRISP will be bringing along an adoptable pup in search of a forever home! Maybe you’ll find your fuzzy soulmate on Flash Sale Day?

What else do I need to know?

There will be feel good music by a live DJ, fresh brewed coffee from Grounds & Hounds, and we can absolutely guarantee you a great time. Bring a friend, your mom, your better half, and let’s raise as much money as possible for CRISP, Jackson Chance and Housing Forward!

Oh, one more thing.

We’re getting a temperature for how large of a crowd we can expect – just a small detail (ha!) for our coffee vendor, space control (and restraints) and will we have enough volunteers? If you’re in the Chicago area, will we see you there? Please let us know through the form below with one simple click! xx

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  • Stacy3.25.19 - 8:18 AM

    Since we don’t have to be present for the raffle, would it be possible to sell raffle tickets online as well? I’m very far away (Florida!) so sadly won’t be able to be there in person, but it would still be fun to participate!ReplyCancel

    • Kim3.25.19 - 9:32 AM

      Hi, Stacy! We considered this, but because some of the prizes are physical goods, the logistics of shipping would have been too much. We REALLY hope that we can do another one of these sales in the future, and our hope is that we can incorporate a larger audience – not just local. Thank you for understanding!ReplyCancel

      • Stacy3.25.19 - 11:24 AM

        No worries! I thought this might be the case but felt like I should ask, just in case the prizes were being shipped directly from the participating companies. I totally understand not wanting to deal with shipping things yourself, especially on your inaugural voyage. Next time!ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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