Following the installation of the elevator and renovations the store was opened again March 6, 2014. The stage area was actually converted into a space for the store. The paint was donated, shelves and racks were installed by volunteers. Salvaged materials including shelves for shoes, glassware, bedding, tables and baskets were gathered.
Mary Ellen Morrison is the head coordinator for the store with help from Marilyn Stovin and volunteers.
“We can only accept smaller items due to the limited space. We get a lot of clothes, books, shoes, bedding, ornaments, dishes, frames or pictures and smaller electric goods.”
The second and third time the store was forced to close was due to COVID, March 23 to April 8, 2021 and closed again May 27, 2021.
Morrison said the store is generally closed during the summer months of July and August. There is also a brief closure during the Christmas season, this year being December 18, 2021 until January 6, 2022.
COVID restrictions are followed including social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer and contact sign-in sheets.
The store is open Thursday and Friday from 2:00-4:00pm. There are no set days to drop off items.
“Some days there are no customers. We would be happier to see it busy. We have ten volunteers scheduled for their regular days and three ladies on a spare list.
Some of the proceeds from the thrift store in the past have been given to the United Church Women’s (UCW) group, which they included with their Mission & Service fund. The UCW folded in February 2020 so now the proceeds go to the United Area Church.

by JUDY WELLS, Recorder staff