PROVO — As production of the penny comes to a close at the U.S. Mint, a local business is racing against the clock to complete a unique project that puts the penny in the spotlight.
At The Collective Underground, a consignment shop that melds thrift store charm with boutique flair, owner Chris Yorgason has embarked on an ambitious endeavor: creating a floor composed entirely of pennies. Inspired by fond memories of his childhood and his grandfather’s coin-collecting passion, Yorgason saw this as an opportunity to bring a creative twist to the store.
“It just needed something new,” Yorgason shared. “And I thought, why don’t we do a penny floor? I’ve always wanted to do something like that.”
He recalled the joy of collecting coins with his grandfather, who had introduced him to the hobby. “My grandpa was really into coins,” Yorgason explained, detailing how he began his collection at a young age.
However, sourcing the thousands of pennies necessary for the floor has presented unforeseen challenges. Recently, banks have tightened their policies, limiting penny exchanges to just $5, complicating Yorgason’s effort to gather enough coins for the project.
Despite the hurdles, the team at The Collective Underground remains enthusiastic about the endeavor. Employee Zac Daley, who is playing a key role in laying the penny floor, emphasized its significance. “This might be one of the last penny floors ever made,” he noted, underscoring the project’s historical context.
For Yorgason, this project represents much more than a mere aesthetic choice; it’s a heartfelt tribute to cherished memories with his grandfather. “It’s totally a full-circle moment,” he said. “It’s special to me — something I did with my grandpa. I think it can be meaningful to the community as well.”
When completed, the penny floor will be sealed with resin, preserving the coins and the memories they hold for years to come. Yorgason is optimistic that he has just enough pennies to complete the task at hand, viewing it as a small yet significant victory amid the diminishing availability of the currency. The initiative captures a spirit of nostalgia and innovation, showing that even as certain coins fade from circulation, their legacy can endure through creativity.