PORT HADLOCK — After a two-month closure, the newly retooled OlyCAP Thrift Shop will hold a grand opening Saturday.
“We have reorganized and cleaned up the space,” said Leigh Taylor, the store’s new manager.
“We want to continue to offer affordable, decent clothes to people of low income but also want it to become a tourist destination.”
The store closed May 22 after former manager, Karen Jogerst, retired.
Taylor said the store, at 10632 Rhody Drive, will offer the same mix of clothing, household items and books but will be more selective.
The 3,000-foot space has been cleaned and painted with a new carpeted reading room where people can relax and decide on books to buy.
The previous inventory has been stored on the premises and is being selectively moved into the new space, though much of it has been donated to other charities.
“If we can’t sell it, we won’t put it out,” Taylor said.
There are guidelines, with the most frequent description being “gently used.”
Clothing in good shape is always welcome, and there is currently a need for shoes, Taylor said.
Kitchen items, books, toys and games also are eagerly accepted.
Items that won’t be accepted include non-working appliances, TVs that are not flat screen, encyclopedias and halogen lamps.
A full list of acceptable and non-acceptable items is viewable at http://tinyurl.com/btcu6l4.
While furniture in good shape is accepted, there is less space for these items as the lease on the separate furniture showroom has not been renewed.
The auxiliary building was closed because there weren’t enough volunteers to staff both locations, according to OlyCAP Human Resource Director Betsy Farrell.
The mission of the store will be the same, Farrell said — to provide clothing and household items to low-income residents in Jefferson County and use the profits to support OlyCAP programs, such as senior nutrition, Head Start, energy assistance, housing programs and adult day care.
These profits are significant, Farrell said. The store cleared $18,000 last year, she said.
The store’s secondary mission is to encourage people who are traveling through the area to stop and perhaps find a unique treasure.
“There are a lot of women who drive around the country touring secondhand stores,” Taylor said.
“We want to tap into that market and become a destination point.”
The owqwpen house takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and will feature live music, free hot dogs and other refreshments.
The store’s regular hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
