By William Meiners
Herald Staff Writer
[private]Cindy Merling admitted to looking at the clock herself. On the last Thursday of December and nearly closing time at ReNEWed Resale in Alma, she could have easily dismissed the young man. Fortunately, she took the bait, allowing a customer to get a $6 cell phone in exchange for a “mystery box.” Surprised himself, the young man opened the box and gave her $1,000 in cash.
Unbeknownst to Cindy and Rick Merling, who opened the upscale resale shop out of the old Sears building last summer, the offering was presented by a renowned TikTok influencer with millions of followers who goes by the name “Brenden.” With the help of an accomplice who entered the store just after him, they recorded and posted the whole transaction.
To date the video has reportedly received more than 18 million views on TikTok, which includes nearly three million likes.
“He walked into the store and had this box close to his chest,” Cindy told The Herald. “I said, ‘Hey bud, what do you have in the box?’ And he said, ‘Oh, my worldly treasures.’”
Given the hour and peculiar exchange, she kept an eye on him. Then he came up to the counter with the phone and a story, saying he had been looking for such a phone for his grandmother.
“Instead of cash, I can offer you this mystery box,” Brenden said. “The value could be double to triple this item. It could be.”
“You’re so cute,” Cindy said. “Give me one second, I’ll ask.”
Cindy stepped away to consult quickly with her husband. She thought maybe he was someone who was “trying to trade up” for an item, perhaps starting with a paperclip, then bargaining up to a pencil, and so forth. She and Rick agreed to the deal.
Upon the word “deal,” the young man queried, “You’re saying deal to the mystery box?”
“Yeah,” Cindy said. “Even if there isn’t anything in it.”
When he pulled the cash from the box, both Merlings were a bit dumbfounded. “What?” Cindy exclaimed. Are you legit?”
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Brenden said.
Within a nanosecond, at least on TikTok, Cindy told him they would pass the good fortune along. “I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” she said. “Because we also purchased a home that we’re going to renovate for a veteran, and then make it affordable housing, we’ll take this money and apply it towards that.”
“I love it,” Brenden said. “Hey guys, remember always take the box. I’m trying to trademark that.”
Only later did Rick and Cindy learn that they were making the rounds on TikTok. Cindy went to the bank and one of the tellers said she had seen her on the social media site. Brenden said at the time he was only looking to “bless small businesses.” Rick said, “We have since found out that Brenden has been doing this same challenge for quite some time and no one has taken him up on it.”
In fact, Rick said, he has been kicked out of plenty of stores and even threatened with arrest. He credited his good-hearted wife with taking a chance on an offer that most have already refused.
The chance to pay a grand forward to a veteran is particularly gratifying for the couple. “We don’t have a veteran picked out yet, but we’re working with the V.A. and we just purchased a home in St. Louis,” Rick said. “Now we’re working with different businesses in the community, asking them to donate items and help fix up the house.”
Having previously worked for Habitat for Humanity, the housing project has that same feel with the gathering of volunteers, including skilled folks who can help rehab an old house. “It’s going to need everything from a new roof to updated electrical,” he said. “Our goal is to have it very affordable and very livable.”
The sweat equity put into the house can help raise its value even before a veteran, who might not otherwise qualify for a home loan, moves in. The one-bedroom house with an attic that could be converted into another bedroom might suit a single person, or even a couple with one child.
With the home purchase, the Merlings may be even a little ahead of schedule on their plans in Gratiot County. ReNEWed Resale, uses proceeds generated from the sale of donated goods to support nonprofit initiatives. They established Door of Hope, a Christ-centered ministry not associated with a church of denomination, as a nonprofit in 2013.
The Merlings, who are still somewhat transitioning in their own move from Owosso to Alma, have done ministerial work for many years throughout the world. Rick told The Herald last summer that they’ve worked in Africa to minimize the effects of water-born illnesses. He made a suitcase out of a 35-gallon plastic drum that could be converted to a water-filter system. He then set up a distribution center in Ethiopia.
The couple established a sewing center in India for women with tuberculosis and leprosy. They also helped build homes for people who were ostracized through an Indian caste system. Through Door of Hope, they’ve supported organizations like Convoy of Hope, which included a recent check in support of war refugees from Ukraine. “We see a need and try to address it,” Rick said.
The idea of opening a resale shop to support other nonprofits came from the reality of “donor fatigue.” With the store, people can buy something they need while still supporting a good cause. Merling references a slogan about a “better way to shop, to save, and to support.” It’s “keeping things out of a landfill and supporting a nonprofit,” he said.
Since the soft and grand opening of the resale shop last summer, their presence has been well-received. “We’re actually in the process of expanding another 7,000 square feet,” Rick said. “I think a lot of people in the community are happy that we’re giving back to different agencies and also supporting the Gratiot County Hope House.”
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