An In-Store Makeover

The Abilities, Inc. retail training facility in Albertson, N.Y. is dedicated to preparing individuals with disabilities for competitive employment through hands on retail experience.

But until recently, the facility was essentially a one room shop with a glorified calculator, rolling racks and donated merchandise — it looked more like a thrift store than a successful retail operation.

Now, with help from a $50,000 grant from Gap Inc., last year’s Founders’ Award winner, Tina Petallides-Markou, has transformed the training facility into a fully functioning store complete with fixtures, a state-of-the-art cash register, fitting room, visual merchandising and marketing.

The newly renovated training facility, “This & That,” opened Aug. 21 before a crowd of over 75 people, including at least 30 Gap employees from Headquarters and the field.

“Through (Tina’s) leadership, inspiration and perspiration, the vision for an upgraded retail training space has come to life,” said Chief Foundation Officer Bobbi Silten. “Tina is a shining example of what a Founders’ Award winner can do to create lasting change.”

Tina, who is an associate store manager at Gap in Bayside, N.Y., used the 80 hours of PTO she received from the Founders’ Award to revitalize the store and the retail program at Abilities, Inc.

Because of this award, Abilities, Inc. students will “gain financial independence and find meaningful employment,” Tina said.

“The most important part of the store is that it’s realistic. The transition from This & That to any other retailer will be seamless.”

Store gets a facelift

The new training facility has four classrooms: a retail store, a housekeeping/hospitality suite, a food preparation kitchen and a mailroom. Students are cross-trained so that they can work across each environment.

This & That will sell men’s and women’s interview attire geared for students, as well as items such as tote bags, pens and lanyards. Note: the store will not sell Gap brand merchandise.

“This was what I envisioned last year,” Tina said. “(The opening) was such a success.”

The store will be open to staff and students three days a week. The other two days a week, students practice “soft skills,” such as interviewing techniques, networking and conflict management. Students will learn key retail skills, such as processing shipment and markdowns, sizing and servicing customers.

Tina worked with Abilities to revitalize the store’s fixtures, update the curriculum and create a job shadow program where more than 30 participants followed field and headquarters Gap employees from sales, stock, IT, Loss Prevention, Human Resources, Real Estate and Recruiting throughout his or her day.

IT sets up the store

Gap Inc.’s IT Department played a critical role in getting the store up and running, setting up key components, from the cash registers and back-office computer to the inventory management system.

A local Gap store undergoing a remodel donated a cashwrap, which was modified to be wheelchair accessible for both customers and cashiers.

IT set up the registers with Point-Of-Sale software that can be customized to display large, user-friendly buttons, so individuals with dexterity or visual challenges can easily navigate the touch screen.

Two Abilities students participated in a job shadow program to help Gap Inc.’s IT employees install the equipment, connect cables and troubleshoot issues.

The staff and volunteers “were all incredibly passionate about their work and their cause,” said Joni Anders, business analyst for Gap Inc. Store Technologies Integration.

The store will be used to demonstrate an accessible workplace that uses universal design principles for employers. With an easily accessible stockroom and lowered merchandise, the store is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and can easily accommodate customers or employees with disabilities.

Students enter the workforce

Already, Abilities students have used their new skills to find jobs at retailers such as Target.

Tina envisions starting a management program or an internship program as the next step to building upon her success.

“I would love to sustain it, to keep the legacy alive,” she said.

Republished with permission from Gap Inc. Corporate Communications