UO Surplus to hold grand opening for new retail store

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University of Oregon has expanded its surplus property operation to include a new retail store at 547 Q Street in Springfield, and they are bringing a friend along with them. Next Step Recycling, a social enterprise that recycles electronics and provides technology access and training to those in need, will also have a presence in the store. This new partnership with the Office of Sustainability expands what both organizations can offer the Eugene-Springfield community.

A grand opening is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“NextStep Recycling is so excited to partner with University of Oregon’s Office of Sustainability. What a wonderful way for these two organizations to work together toward a common goal of reuse and sustainability,” said Jessica Ahrenholtz, executive director of Next Step.

UO Surplus Store interior

The Office of Sustainability took over the bulk of UO surplus operations in 2022, which led to increased visibility and engagement for the campus community. The program then moved to offering public sales for items not selected for campus reuse. The growing success of the program, combined with the need for stable and more functional space, led to the move to the Springfield store.

“Next Step has been operating re-use programs for nearly 20 years,” said Steve Mital, director of sustainability at the UO. “We are delighted to partner with and learn from them as we launch our newest community sustainability program.”

The new store will be open Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., and Saturday noon to 2:30 p.m. In addition to computers, cords, appliances and other small electronics from Next Step Recycling, the store will have a rotating supply of office furniture as well as other small and large items from the UO. 

“Our team is really excited to be able to offer this expanded store for our local community,” said Cimmeron Gillespie, UO’s surplus property and waste reduction specialist. “We have so many cool things from our ‘bread-and-butter' items like desks, chairs and filing cabinets to wild one-offs like a pastry case or dozens of industrial brass doorknobs. It’s always an adventure at surplus and that makes it fun.”