Hopes Resales adds Christmas store at Lyndonville church for holiday shoppers

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Volunteers on duty at Lyndonville United Methodist Church’s Hope Resales Holiday Shop are, from left, Cathy Bane-Dinse, Cathie Barry, Anne Hyndman and Roxinne Montague.

LYNDONVILLE – Anyone looking for an unusual or unique Christmas gift just might want to check out Hope Resales Holiday Shop at Lyndonville United Methodist Church.

Hope Resales Thrift Shop was an idea developed by former church member Ruth Hedges in 2019, before she moved east to be near her family.

Since then, the shop has generated thousands of dollars, which have benefited the church and its missions.

“Ruth was in charge of missions for our church and got the idea to start a thrift shop to earn money for missions,” said Cathie Barry, a church member and thrift shop volunteer.

Cathie Berry and Colleen Gooding look at a list of charitable causes to which the Lyndonville Methodist Church has donated with profits from their Hope Resales Thrift Shop. The shop’s Christmas Store recently opened, with an entire fellowship hall full of holiday items.

The shop was immediately popular and profitable. Then they decided to open a separate holiday shop at Christmas time.

“People who work in our sorting room say there’s not a day goes by that they don’t get donations of Christmas items,” Barry said.

“This is the place to get good deals on games and toys,” said volunteer Anne Hyndman. “People who regularly shop here are always asking when are we opening the Christmas store.”

The Christmas Store grew from an idea developed years ago by their women’s group, who started a mini mall at Christmas, where children could come and shop for their parents and friends at very reasonable prices.

“Whatever money a child had, we accepted it for the gift they wanted,” Barry said. “It was a custom for parents to sit in another room drinking coffee and eating cookies while volunteers helped their children shop. There was also a room for wrapping.”

A customer browses in Hope Resales Holiday Shop at Lyndonville United Methodist Church. The shop is full of all kinds of Christmas items, from games and toys to clothing and Christmas trees.

Hyndman said people would come in and give them donations to be used for children who didn’t have any money to buy gifts.

After the lady who came up with the idea died, people were constantly asking if the church was going to do it again. The result was the Christmas Store.

“People like to shop here because they get good deals on games and toys,” Hyndman said.

This year could end up being a record year for giving, Barry said. Last year they gave a total of $10,000 to their church missions and to local charities, including the food pantry housed at the Presbyterian Church, Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion, a homeless shelter in Lockport, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, local libraries, PAWS Animal Shelter and more. They have already donated $9,000 to various causes and anticipate a very busy month ahead.

This table features an assortment of miniature Christmas buildings and accessories.

“It takes a lot of volunteers to run the thrift shop,” Barry said. “We need sales people, cleaners, sorters, organizers and people to create displays. We can always use more help. It’s really kind of fun. Some great friendships have been made with the people we work with here. And we really love the people who shop here. We often pray together before we open the doors.’

“And we have prayed with our customers who came through the door,” Hyndman said.

Hope Resales has become a favorite place to shop for many people.

“Often, we open the doors at 10 a.m. and by 10:02 there are eight people in the store,” Barry said.

Hope Resales, managed by Colleen Gooding, is located in the basement of the church at 102 North Main St., and offers clothing in all sizes for the entire family, gifts, housewares, jewelry and more. Entrance is through the door on the northeast corner of the building. The Christmas Store is in the fellowship hall, one floor above. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays. The Christmas Store opened Nov. 5 and will be open through Dec. 20.