MONROE — When Blain’s Farm & Fleet took over the ShopKo location in Monroe, the store was full of fixtures that were still useful. The following weekend, the team invited Monroe local businesses and charitable organizations to view and select whatever they could use for free or at thrift prices. 

Some of the 501-C3 beneficiaries were Castaways in Janesville, Green County and the Rock County Fair. Local businesses, including a local perfumery, as well as an alterations shop, were thrilled to pick up mannequin forms and fixtures for use in their stores.

Recycling and donating fixtures saves on costs on dumpsters and labor, and prevents countless quality items from being thrown in a landfill. 

These fixtures and materials can help our neighborhood and neighbors expand their businesses, take care of their customers or upgrade their showrooms. 

Many efforts were made to responsibly dispose of materials left in the store. Shopko left behind a huge supply of contact lenses and a Bausch and Lomb recycling center was located in Janesville. In addition, three loads of scrap of metal was also appropriately recycled.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet will also be reusing and repurposing the back warehouse fixtures and cabinets in the newly remodeled store.