Spokane-based Pleasantries LLC has opened this month in the Garland District, where owner Danielle Amstrup is curating home decor and lifestyle products, but also an unconventional way to support nonprofits in the new retail space.

Amstrup plans to offer Pleasantries as a free venue for events and fundraising opportunities for a different 501(c)(3) organization each month, beginning in January. Additionally, 20% of sales generated during those events will be donated back to that selected nonprofit, she says.

"Nonprofits are the backbone of the community, and I know how hard it is to find venues and places to bring your donors together," Amstrup says. 

The home decor store has about 1,000 square feet of retail space, located at 823 W. Garland, in a building that previously was occupied by Garland Mercantile, which has since relocated to a storefront next door to Pleasantries.

Amstrup is leaning on her previous experience working in the nonprofit industry to pursue grant funding to cover the cost of food and beverages for philanthropic events hosted at the store.

"I want this place to be a shop obviously, but I also want it to encompass my other passion, which is community building, bringing people together," says Amstrup.

The goal is to reduce as many expenses as possible associated with hosting events, such as venue fees and catering costs, so that organizations can get the most out of holding an event in the space, she says. 

Her business strategy will benefit the nonprofits she partners with that will have reduced event expenses, while also helping traffic and sales at the woman-owned business, she says.

Amstrup is passionate about highlighting different charitable causes in the Spokane community and is seeking applications for community partnerships from a diverse range of nonprofits, she says.

"One of the first things I did right after I applied for my business license was create an application for the nonprofits to apply to become community partners," says Amstrup.

The application process is intentionally straightforward and to the point as well. Applications include a dozen questions requesting contact information, a mission or values statement, a section to state a preferred month to use the space, and proof of 501(c)(3) status. 

As a former grant writer, Amstrup says she made sure there aren't any big hoops to jump through to apply for support.  

"Coming from that world, I would have wanted to do this with a shop," she says. "We've done shop nights with bigger box retail stores, but it's definitely on their schedule and what works for them." 

Applications for 501(c)(3) organizations are open on the company's website, shoppleasantries.com, through mid-December, and the selected organizations will be notified Jan. 1.

At a grand opening event held Oct. 11 at Pleasantries, a few organizations expressed interest in the opportunity to use the space, she says.

"I'll have a lot of nonprofit events, but also just events in general," says Amstrup. "I want book signings and gallery nights and to highlight all of the amazing talent and makers in our community. It seems like a good fit to use this space as much as possible."

Jim Orcutt, of NAI Black, owns the building and helped facilitate exterior improvements, including new brickwork, wainscoting, and siding, he says.

"I've redone (about) seven storefronts, which has really increased the interest and energy in the neighborhood," Orcutt says. "It was just one of those things where her timing was perfect. She was very persistent in coming at me for the space, and she got to me before it was even available on the market."

"The feedback I've gotten so far from people that have gone in the store and met her at the grand opening, or the early opening, everybody just loves her and loves the space and loves what she's selling," adds Orcutt. "I think she's a huge win for the Garland neighborhood."

Amstrup leased the Garland property in August, and after refinishing the floors, walls, and bathroom, opened for business in earlier this month. She is the company's only employee for now, but she anticipates hiring a couple part-time staff members in the future.

Pleasantries features a selection of home goods inspired by a mix of modern and traditional aesthetics, explains Amstrup.

"Garland has got such a retro feel, and I wanted to honor that, but also modernize it a little bit," she says. "It's pretty neutral in here right now ... but it will change and evolve as I bring in different products."  

Pleasantries features a variety of lifestyle products, including candles, bar and liquid hand soaps, lotions, laundry detergent, and some clothing items. Additional home decor items in the showroom include pillows, ceramic and glass dishes, containers, trays, candle holders, and bookends. 

"Part of the reason I wanted to open this was I love to see, touch, and feel things. I'm a very visual person, so online shopping is not my favorite thing because I can't feel the quality," she explains.

Amstrup was raised in Spokane and returned to her hometown after 18 years. She left to attend the University of San Diego where she earned a bachelor's degree in communications along with a minor in nonprofit management. Amstrup also spent time living in Denver and the Seattle area. She launched Pleasantries after a lengthy career raising funds for nonprofits, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the American Heart Association.

She says she jumped at the opportunity to move back with her husband, Bryan, who is managing partner at Pleasantries, and two young children, when her last position as executive director at Highline Medical Center Foundation, at St. Anne Hospital, in Burien, Washington, was dissolved earlier this year. The family relocated to Eastern Washington in July.

"We just knew eventually we wanted to make it back to Spokane. It was a matter of timing," she says. "I was sad to leave the nonprofit world, but I knew that I could bring a lot of what I've done with nonprofits into small business ownership."