Relocate The Rusty Bucket
Donation protected
It all started with one person’s dream…. One of those dreams you put on your bucket list to do later in life…. The one you can do in retirement. It wasn’t my dream but my wife’s (Pam). She had long dreamed of owning a home décor shop featuring country and farm house décor.
20 years ago, she and I had just been laid off from our corporate jobs at Nortel Networks. She had 23 years and I had 22 years…… so "now what are we going to do" we asked ourselves? So, we took a leap of faith and opened The Rusty Bucket LLC. The first year we were in three consignment locations and in 2004 we opened up in Apex, NC on historic downtown Salem St.
WOW…. That was 19 years ago where, please tell me, did the time go. We took on the challenge of opening a retail store from scratch and in 2007 were awarded Country Business Magazine’s National Retailer of the Year, 2008 selected as Apex Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year, survived the Great Recession of ’08 and ’09 and endured being closed for 80 days in 2020 as a result of the COVID Pandemic
Hi, I’m Mack Thorpe (68) and Pam Thorpe (67) are the owners of The Rusty Bucket LLC. We were in our late 40’s 19 years ago and have loved every minute of everyday operating The Rusty Bucket. You see, we have the most incredible customers anyone could ever ask for. After 19 years we have seen their babies and grand
children grow up, go to college, marry and bring their babies into the shop to share their joy.
So why are we here? Why are we seeking funds from our customers, friends, family and others? It’s sad, but we can no longer afford to run a small retail shop in Apex, NC.
On April 1st 2023 our rent was raised by over 70%. With our obligations to pay back our COVID loans there is no way we can remain at our current location with the increase in rent.
We have two choices: close The Rusty Bucket and lose our life savings and, at our age, that would be devastating. Or, we relocate to a more affordable location, have a chance to secure our life’s savings and continue to serve our wonderful customers with the magic that is The Rusty Bucket experience.
In Pittsboro, NC we have found a location and we are discussing the terms of a lease. But to move a business you need money to finance the relocation and that extra cash is what we do not have. So we reach out to the community our family, friends, customers and others to ask for their help.
We have prepared a line item budget to show where we need financing. The location we're looking at for The Rusty Bucket is 630 East St. Pittsboro, NC. It was a Mexican restaurant but has been closed for the past two years. Once the lease is executed the Property Manager indicated the contractor would need 30 days to do the tear out and make ready the location. If we can secure funding in the next 30 days, and in parallel the contractor completes his work, we could conceivably be reopening mid summer 2023.
Our budget objective for the relocation of The Rusty Bucket is $35,000.
If you are in a position that you can contribute to our relocation fund we are forever in your debt. To forgo going out of business your generosity is our only hope and pathway to achieve our goals.
The Rusty Bucket Mission:
Furnishings and Accessories for the Cozy Country Home - Adding warmth and individuality to your country decorating style – where shopping takes you back to the old home place.
Over the front door of The Rusty Bucket as you leave is a sign that reads.
“Enter as Strangers & Leave as Friends”
Please take time to look at the photo’s and video of The Rusty Bucket. See the magic you experience when you walk in the door.
Organizer
Mack Thorpe
Organizer
Pittsboro, NC