The National Council of Jewish Women, St. Louis Section (NCJWSTL) is moving exactly 285 feet. But those 285 feet will allow the organization to broaden its reach and deepen its impact within the community.
Over the next two years, NCJWSTL will relocate its operations, including its offices and the popular Resale Shop, to 311 N. Lindbergh, the former Jos. A. Bank building.
Why the NCJWSTL moving matters
“This new space will allow us to grow in ways we hadn’t imagined. We’ll have the ability to expand our community programming and advocacy work while improving the experience for our donors, volunteers and staff,” said Ellen Alper, CEO of NCJWSTL.
Increased space to support NCJWSTL programs
A major benefit of the new location is the significantly increased space, which will directly support both NCJWSTL’s programs and infrastructure. Phyllis Langsdorf, president of NCJWSTL board, highlighted how the added capacity will help solve current logistical challenges:
“For example, our Back to School! Store currently stores most of the items in a rental space. As we begin purchasing merchandise for next year’s sale, that too goes into storage,” said Langsdorf. “We will be able to store some, if not all, of that merchandise in our new space. Kids Community Closet also stores some items in our space, but we often must rent pods due to limited capacity. The new building will change all of that.”
More parking for the NCJWSTL Resale Shop
Another advantage is the doubling of parking capacity, which will facilitate larger community events and partnerships.
“Our current parking lot often fills up, and customers who can’t find a spot just leave,” said Marlene Hammerman, co-chair of the committee overseeing the project. “The new building will have 120 parking spaces, compared to the 52 we have now. This will make a huge difference, especially for the Resale Shop, which is a critical revenue generator.”
NCJWSTL moving to enhance community initiatives
The larger facility will also enable NCJWSTL to support its rapidly expanding programs. “Every year, we add new projects and initiatives to serve more people, and our current location simply can’t accommodate that growth anymore,” Hammerman explained.
The acquisition of the new building was spearheaded by Eddie Cherry, owner of Manor Real Estate and a donor who played a critical role in securing the property.
“It was a competitive bidding situation, but we were ultimately successful. The new building is 10,000 square feet larger than the current space, which will allow for more operational efficiencies and a better experience for everyone NCJWSTL serves,” said Cherry. “This move will ensure that donors, recipients, employees, and volunteers are better served for years to come.”
Securing the future
In conjunction with the move, NCJWSTL is launching a capital campaign to secure funding and offer naming rights for various spaces within the new building. This campaign presents an opportunity for supporters to contribute to the organization’s future while honoring or memorializing loved ones.
