Church thrift store set to open after May fire

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Church thrift store set to open after May fire

Around Osceola

Thursday, 29 November 2012 08:48

By Sam Gilkey
For the News-Gazette
One of downtown St. Cloud’s oldest businesses is preparing to open next week following a fire last May that closed it and two adjoining stores.
Smoke from the fire forced The Three Saints Thrift Store at 1026 New York Ave. to move its stock and fixtures out so the interior could be cleaned and repaired.
The blaze gutted both The Shop and Ella’s What Not Shop and closed them down. Work is continuing in an effort to get the two stores open again.
“We did not have any fire damage fortunately,” said Adele Oakley, the volunteer manager of Three Saints. “But everything in the store was covered with smoke. All the clothing we had was damaged and had to be thrown out.”
“We have a new ceiling, new paint on the walls and new carpeting throughout. We are restocking with donations from our friends and customers. We keep the prices low and try to make sure everything is high quality and in good condition.”
Oakley said the first Three Saints Store started more than 20 years ago as a rummage sale when St. Luke-St. Peter’s Episcopal Church was located on 10th Street. The church continued to collect clothing and other household items and sold them to local residents. When the inventory outgrew its storage room at the church a location on New York Avenue was rented.
Oakley is one of several managers of the store who have volunteered over the years and she has worked there since 1998. Most of the others who stock the racks and help customers are members of the Episcopal congregation, also. No one is paid a salary or expenses.
Bill and Monica Binette, of Kissimmee, have volunteered at least one day a week at the shop for over three years.
“There is a satisfaction we get from helping our church that in turn helps others,” Bill said.
“We help some of the needy people in town,” said Jim Lueck, a 40-year church member. “What we can’t use goes to other local groups.”
Oakley said the church has always looked at the store as part of it’s community outreach. Local nursing homes are given robes, pajamas and sweaters for their clients. Toys go to local holiday collections and those in need have been able to get clothing at no cost.
“Since we have been closed because of the fire we have had so many calls from customers who wanted to know when we will be open again,” she said. “You get close to many of them who have come in year after year. I think we have had a positive impact in the community.”
Oakley recalled one particular customer several years ago who needed help.
“We had this nice looking young man come in one day. He was a probably a laborer on a construction crew because he was dirty and covered with dirt.
“He asked if we had any suits. So we showed him what we had and he picked one out. Then he wanted to know if we had a white shirt, and a tie and some black shoes. Which we did. And finally he needed a belt.
“We asked why he wanted all these things and he said, ‘I’m getting married this afternoon.’
“A couple of hours later, he came back all cleaned up and in his suit and looked like a million bucks. He left and we never saw him again. I guess the marriage worked.”
The Three Saints Thrift Store will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.