Kelsee’s Purse owner Ildiko Carpenter has been running the Citrus Heights thrift store at 7044 Sunrise Boulevard for approximately 5 years. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Kelsee’s Purse, a popular Citrus Heights thrift store at 7044 Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 1 in the Copperwood Plaza is closing its doors Sunday, November 5th, just short of observing its fifth anniversary of being in business.

Owner Ildiko Carpenter shared news of the store’s impending closure on Facebook on October 24th.

“We survived the big “C” (Covid) shut down, two separate floods and the nearby Planet Fitness gym construction which shut down our parking lot for six months,” Carpenter told her customers.

“Every month that we paid rent and stayed open has been a miracle. Little stores like ours just don’t usually make it this long and we certainly are grateful to everyone who has supported us,” she said.

“Unfortunately, since we are on a month-to-month rental agreement and management only needed to give us a 30-day notice to vacate,” Carpenter said. Copperwood Plaza is managed by San Diego-based Strategic Asset Management Group.

“Another unnamed business is taking over our space as well as the two empty ones next door. We were offered another suite in the same complex in the Copperwood Plaza but decided not to accept the offer and start over again.”

Kelsee’s Purse was named in recognition of a young, homeless woman named Kelsee, who Ildiko befriended on the streets of Citrus Heights. Items donated to Kelsee’s Purse are either sold at the thrift store location or were given away to area homeless.

“Kelsee had become unexpectedly homeless and was learning how difficult it often is to survive day-to-day,” she said. “She welcomed our church’s ministry support to help her get off the street and appreciated the basic toiletries, clothing and personal items we were able to give her.”

The Kelsee’s Purse retail store was incorporated as a non-profit ministry of Living Water Assembly of God Church, located on Lauppe Lane near Rusch Park. Ildiko and her husband Gregory, who operated the store are outreach coordinators for the church.

“After our three-year lease was up, I wanted to close because we were struggling and after I gave our 30-day notice, felt like it wasn’t time yet,” she recalled.

“We’ve since been renting on a month-to-month basis since then, never sure how long we’d be there. It’s hard when people aren’t shopping, and times are tough for most,” she said.

The Carpenters pressed on and kept Kelsee’s Purse open.

“A few months ago, I gave another 30-day notice and again, didn’t feel peace about it, like it just wasn’t time yet. I reached out to the Citrus Heights community and got to see what happens when so many people care. The generosity of shoppers and the community helped pay the rent and then some, she said. “God is so good.”

“Our last day open will likely be Saturday, November 4th depending on how much merchandise which we still have left,” she said.

Kelsee’s Purse has announced the closing of its doors on Sunday, November 5th, selling off its inventory and open to negotiating prices. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

“We cannot accept any donations at this time. We have a lot of stock in storage that we are bringing out to sell and clear out. There are lots of great treasures still left,” she said.

All merchandise is now half-price of the store’s already reasonable prices.

“We are open to offers, bundles and fill-a-bag pricing. We still have rent and other expenses to take care of that come along with a big project like emptying out a whole store, and no reasonable offer will be turned down,” she said.

“We still have furniture, clothes, home goods, wall art and much more left. Come see, or just come say good-bye,” Carpenter said. “Or just see if there’s anything you can use.”

Kelsee’s Purse at 7044 Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 1 in the Copperwood Plaza in Citrus Heights will be open Friday, November 3rd from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday, November 4th from 10 am to 2 pm. The store will close on Sunday, November 5th. For more information call (916) 844-2497 or email: [email protected]