Oh the places Thrifters Rock will go for its staff and customers

PALMER — There’s still time to vote on your favorite Dr. Suess inspired shoe created by 22 different customers at Thrifters Rock Palmer.

“It’s just a fun, positive way to pass the crazy, cold winter,” store manager Vicki Hoyman said.

The local thrift store known for its creative flair gave its customers the chance to pick out a shoe, take it home, decorate it and bring it back for their annual “Crafty Shoe Challenge.”

The winner receives a $100 gift certificate and with this year’s theme, a whimsical feather in their creative, Suessian hat.

Thrifters Rock employee Debbie Houseman came up with the idea last year, according to Hoyman. She said they have about twice as many entrants this year. She thinks having a theme definitely helped this time.

It was clear Dr. Suess impact many Valley residents who showed this off in various ways, from clay figurines and paper mache to fuzzy fabrics and blown glass. There was even a shoe embellished with a 3-D printed turtle.

“It blows me away we have this many creative people in this hodunk town, “ Hoyman said with a laugh.

Hoyman said this new contest reflects the freedom staff and volunteers have when finding ways to engage the customers.

“People like to work in that kind of environment… it’s very validating,” Hoyman said.

The store is fairly open to ideas and the crews love coming up with ways to decorate the interior through each season. Since it’s spring, Hoyman said to expect lots of butterflies.

“If you’ve been in here before, you know we do really elaborate seasonal displays. Like, there’s really no retail store, I don’t think, in the Valley that has displays like we do,” Hoyman said. “We just love giving people free reign to display use their strengths and their talents.”

Those visiting Thrifters Rock Palmer can vote on their favorite shoes which are currently on display near the entrance. Voting closes Friday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.

The winning shoe will be selected on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2.

Thrifters Rock Palmer is located at 9201 East Frontage Road, off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway near Pioneer Pizza and Midtown Estates. For more information, call 907-745-7625

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com