Keep calm and thrift on

RIO RANCHO — Grab your shopping carts because Rio Rancho just got thriftier.

The arc Thrift Stores opened its second New Mexico location in Rio Rancho March 12 near Defined Fitness in the Hilltop Plaza.

Lloyd Lewis, president of the arc Thrift Stores in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, said the company is the largest funder of advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Southwest.

“We have funded hundreds of millions of dollars for advocacy to help people with developmental disabilities find jobs, housing, medical services and schools. We’re the largest employer people development of disabilities in the southwestern United States. Now, over 600 wonderful employees,” he said.

The opening featured New Mexico staff who are developmentally disabled as well as members from the Colorado locations.

Inside, the store is stocked with all manner of clothing items, furniture, books and more. Items are marked down from their original retail cost and the store holds discount days.

The business is mainly inspired by Lewis’ son Kennedy, who has Down syndrome.

“He's an amazing young man. He's a great member of our family. He's a Harry Potter expert, so he knows everything there is to know about Harry Potter. He loves to tell knock-knock jokes,” Lewis said.

During a ribbon cutting on opening day, Lewis said he would like to open more locations in the area, jokingly probing the local officials present to “find him some land.”

“We love this community. We love the people of Rio Rancho. And we've had a lot of support, and we we feel the community is very excited to have us here. We think this is a great demographic for us,” he sad after the event.

When his son was born, Lewis got involved in Scientific Research Advocacy in Colorado, which became the world’s largest Down syndrome research institute.

“Then I got recruited to The arc Thrift Stores, where I thought I could take my business skills and help people like my son,” he said.

Aside from the business, Lewis hopes The arc will work with other organizations focused on developmental disabilities like the Special Olympics, homeless organizations, domestic violence shelters and other nonprofits. He added that The arc has collected more than four million pounds of food and will continue those donation efforts.

“We try to help as many people as we can,” he said.

He encouraged people in the community to shop at The arc to support the developmentally disabled and get “great deals” on items in the store.

For more information, visit arcthrift.com/riorancho.