EASTON, Pa. (BRAIN) — Genesis Bicycles will close its store on Black Friday, and the shop's employees have decided to donate their salaries for the day to a local charity.
Store owner Tomias Hinchcliff concedes it's a risky move to close his shop on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
"I feel the holidays should be a time spent at home with family, not fighting with strangers at the mall to get the latest electronic gadget," said Hinchcliff. "It's also a time to give to those less fortunate and help people in need."
Hinchcliff said he was extremely proud of his staff's decision to donate a day's pay to Safe Harbor Easton, a program-driven, transitional shelter for homeless single men and women. The shelter has the capacity to house 22 men and 14 women overnight. Safe Harbor residents have the opportunity to learn new problem-solving skills, stabilize their income, assess their job skills, find suitable, permanent housing and have medical exams.
Genesis Bicycles' donation will help support vital programs such as art therapy, purchasing shelter supplies, and providing daily meals. In addition to their donation, Genesis is encouraging its customers to make monetary or needed-item donations to Safe Harbor. A Wish List of items can be found on Safe Harbor Easton's website.
"For each of our customers who make a donation to Safe Harbor, we will reward them for their generosity by offering them a generous discount on any purchases made at Genesis Bicycles through Nov. 30," said Genesis marketing and events coordinator Rob McVeigh. "It's our way of saying thanks for supporting those in our community who need assistance."
Genesis Bicycles has been locally owned and operated by Hinchcliff since 1974. Genesis carries Trek, Cannondale, Cervélo, and Electra. More information on the store at genesisbicycles.com.
