An East End staple for secondhand furniture is closing its doors due to financial struggles.
The Charleston YWCA Board of Directors voted on Thursday to close 2nd Seating, a gently-used furniture store on Elizabeth Street that's been open since 2003.
The store's last day will be Sept. 28, unless all its merchandise is sold before then.
Citing financial difficulties over the last three years, the YWCA's finance committee crunched the numbers and determined that the forecast wasn't promising for 2nd Seating.
"[For] the last couple of years, the revenue has truly been challenged; this past year, we lost money," YWCA CEO Debby Weinstein said Friday.
Weinstein said the store's fate is directly related to the local economy and residents' spending habits.
"There's such a strong correlation," she said. "When times are tough, people tend to hold onto their furniture." That means fewer donations for the store and inconsistent inventory, she said.
"Another thing we're finding out is a lot of people [who historically donated] are selling their furniture," Weinstein said.
While the decision was made with heavy hearts, Weinstein noted that its closure was the best option.
"This store was designed for one purpose only - to generate operating revenue for the Shanklin Center," she said.
The YWCA Shanklin Center for Senior Enrichment provides a permanent home for victims of elder abuse.
"We're terribly sad, but ... you can't subsidize a store that's designed to generate revenue for one of your social service programs," Weinstein said.
Once 2nd Seating closes, some revenue from the YWCA's other retailer, Past & Present Gently Used Clothing, will be diverted to the Shanklin Center, according to a news release from the YWCA.
Volunteers who helped run 2nd Seating will move to Past & Present, the press release says. Two employees will be laid off.
Pickups of donated furniture end on Friday, and 2nd Seating will refer donors to other local charities. The store is planning clearance sales during the weekends of Aug. 26 and 27 and Sept. 23 and 24.
There are no immediate plans for the store's building. "The finance committee and board decided to table that conversation as we explore our options with this building," Weinstein said.
Reach Elaina Sauber at elaina.sauber@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-3051 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter.