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Store call for donations to replenish inventory

 

TRYON—The Seventh Day Adventist Thrift Store at 2820 Lynn Road has officially reopened its doors after significant flooding caused by Helene, which left its main building submerged in four inches of water.

The store’s closure presented a challenging setback, but staff and volunteers saw it as an opportunity to enhance the shopping experience.

Following the flood, volunteers from the church rallied to help with the cleanup efforts, dedicating their time and resources to restoring the store. “It took about a month and eight days to clean up after the flooding, but we were ready to reopen on Monday,” said a store manager, Paula Slater. “We lost a lot of our furniture during the flood, but now we’ve rearranged the layout to showcase what we have better.”

Slater added that improvements have been made to the store. The flooding led to replacing damaged shelving with new metal shelves, which have been strategically placed to optimize space and visibility. The store also underwent several repairs, including new insulation. The newly configured store is designed to make shopping more enjoyable and accessible for customers.

Now reopened, the thrift store is calling for donations, especially children’s clothing, to replenish its inventory. 

“Every bit helps, and we’re set up to sort and wash the donations we receive,” Slater added. 

The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the store’s recovery and improvements. 

“It feels like a brand new store,” said Carolee Rhymer, highlighting the effort put forth by staff and volunteers. “The cleanup effort looks fantastic.” 

Donations can be dropped off during business hours for those interested in supporting the store. The staff looks forward to welcoming back loyal shoppers and new faces eager to see the revitalized space. 

The Thrift Store is open between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday.