Closet Crisis Benefits Cancer Patients

Owners: Glenda and Gary Baltrusch

Address: 121 W. Township Ave., Fayetteville 72703

Phone: 501-444-0748

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Start-up date: Dec. 15

Glenda and Gary Baltrusch opened Closet Crisis to help patients through the financial hardships of cancer. After Glenda Baltrusch lost her father and 42-year-old best friend to the disease, she wanted to make an impact on surviving patients. She launched Closet Crisis, a nonprofit thrift store, and the store’s profits go to cancer victims.

“Medicare and Medicaid pay for the medical bills, but they don’t put gas in the car,” she said.

Closet Crisis sells clothes, books and miscellaneous donated items for $1-$3 each, and only a few selected articles, such as formal evening dresses, cost more. Individuals contribute most of the stock for the shop, but stores occasionally donate, too.

Patients must present a medical record of their illness to request money from Baltrusch, but she said many patients want emotional rather than financial support.

“Most people with cancer will come in and talk about it,” Baltrusch said, “but they won’t ask for help. They figure someone else needs it worse.”

Start-up costs for the shop totaled several thousand dollars, Baltrusch said. Before opening Closet Crisis, the husband and wife owned Heirloom Pianos, a restoration business for antique pianos.