Lighthouse to open new store
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on October 10, 2004 2:08 AM
The Lighthouse of Wayne County will open its new thrift store, The Beacon of Hope, on Nov. 1.
The new store will be located at 223-1 W. Walnut St. It is called The Beacon of Hope because that's exactly what it will be to victims of domestic violence, said Cheri Seronick, Lighthouse director.
A grand opening ceremony is planned for Nov. 13 with sales and refreshments.
The old thrift store, Etcetera, closed several months ago due to a loss of grant funding.
Through a Family Violence Prevention grant, the Lighthouse is able to open the new thrift store at a different location, according to Mrs. Seronick. She said the grant will offset the start-up costs for the store for the first 12 months of operation.
She said the thrift store is one way for the Lighthouse to generate income to put back into its operating budget. "And the stores have done quite well in other areas.
The new thrift store will operate under guidelines of existing stores in other cities that are thriving.
The store will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
When the old thrift store closed this past spring, all its inventory was sold at a yard sale or donated to the Salvation Army. To restock the new store, the Lighthouse is seeking donations of women's clothing and accessories, men's clothing and accessories, children's clothing and accessories, children's toys and housewares such as dishes, utensils and small appliances. No big furniture will be sold.
The Lighthouse is asked for donations through a share-your-closet party. According to Mrs. Seronick, this consists of getting a group together for a social function and having each guest take at least one clothing item to donate to the thrift store. A representative from the Lighthouse will even go and speak to the group about the agency's mission and programs.
Proceeds from the thrift store will be used for Lighthouse programs to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Wayne County. Lighthouse clients will get vouchers to get items from the thrift store for themselves and their children. Many times, victims of domestic violence leave home with only the clothes on their backs.
Donations will be accepted through the end of the month at the Lighthouse office at 405 E. Walnut St. from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that date, donations should be taken directly to The Beacon of Hope.
For more information about the thrift store or donations, contact Mary Bollin or Mrs. Seronick at 736-1313.