Shoppers who visit the Righteous Clothing Thrift Store in Parkesburg now have even more room to shop and additional merchandise to choose from since the store has doubled in size.
The all-volunteer-run shop, which is a ministry of Parkesburg United Methodist Church, has remained at the same location, 317 Main St., Parkesburg. However, a vacant store and a former donation take-in area were combined to form the new retail store. The former store space is now being used for storage.
A portion of a wall was taken down to join the two areas and create the larger space. "We were closed for a week," explained volunteer Jody Bush, chairperson. "There was paint on the floor and we scraped it all by hand and we buffed it."
In addition, volunteers created new displays. For example, the glass was removed from a hutch and sale items were placed inside. A former work bench was painted and is now used to display items for sale. A shutter was repurposed to house magazines.
The larger store also allows for additional window displays. "People walk by and window shop. We keep high-end stuff in the front window," Bush noted.
Along with the expansion, the shop is now accepting credit card payments for the first time, in addition to cash.
The Righteous Clothing Thrift Store offers candles; art; antiques and vintage collectibles; bags and purses; books, CDs, DVDs and records; crafts and sewing supplies; fabric; hardware and tools; luggage; office and school supplies; and clothing for men, women and children. Items in the thrift store, which are donated by the congregation and community members, are new or gently used.
Bush said she continues to be surprised at the high quality of donations. "A lady came in yesterday with a pocketbook - a brand-new Coach bag. It has never been used," noted Bush. "There is a globe with inlaid stone (valued) at $200. We also have a Lladró figurine."
Proceeds from the store, which opened in 2009, are given to the church and local charities. In 2021, the store supported the Octorara Area Food Cupboard, the Parkesburg POINT Youth Center, Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach (PCCO), Kacie's Cause, Locust Lane Riding Center and Keystone Ambulance.
The store is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m., on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The store is also open during Final Fridays in Parkesburg, held on the last Friday of each month, beginning at 5 p.m.
Volunteers are always needed to help sort and price items and to run the cash register. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and they do not have to be members of the church.
"We need more volunteers," said Bush. "People have been asking us to be open for at least one evening (per week). So, we are going to try to be open on Thursdays from 1 to 6 p.m. (as soon as we have additional volunteers)."
For more information about the thrift store, visit http://www.facebook.com/righteousclothingthriftstore or https://righteousclothingthriftstore.godaddysites.com.
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