Thrift shop in Lyndonville reopens today
Hope Resales rearranges store to allow more social distancing
Provided photos: Some of the baby clothes donated to Lyndonville United Methodist Church’s thrift shop are on display in the Fellowship Hall, waiting for the store’s opening on Wednesday. All are priced at 25 or 50 cents.
LYNDONVILLE – Hope Resales, the community thrift shop run by the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, will reopen today, after being closed for nearly three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ruth Hedges, who was instrumental in starting the thrift shop in March 2019, said they are excited to see their customers and be open for business again, although it will not be “business as usual.”
Ruth Hedges has Hopes Resales ready for today’s reopening.
In keeping with government regulations on reopening in light of the virus, the store has been totally cleaned and disinfected. Hedges has purchased new, longer racks to create more room in the aisles, allowing for social distancing. The store has been painted and merchandise rearranged.
Customers will be limited to eight in the store at a time. As per Health Department recommendations, parents are asked not to bring children, due to sanitary concerns. Everyone will be required to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer at the door. For anyone who doesn’t have a mask, one will be provided.
Hedges asks anyone who doesn’t feel good or has tested positive for the coronavirus to please not visit the store. She also said anyone with a medical condition who is fearful of visiting the store while it is open may call her at (585) 866-9133 to set up a private appointment.
Hedges said they were fortunate to have ample merchandise in stock, although they are in need of good summer clothing, especially children and women’s shorts, as well as small appliances and other household products.
They do have to limit donations, however, as they do not have room to store things.
Another improvement is obtaining a credit card machine. While they haven’t received it yet, Hedges said she thinks it will contribute to increased sales.
They have also added a corner for antiques. Hedges was able to sell some antique blue Currier and Ives china in the Grist Mill pattern online. She said they still have a few pieces left.
She added they have also been blessed with an enormous donation of beautiful baby clothes in sizes 0 to 24 months. All are priced at 25 to 50 cents, and because there are so many, they are on display in the Fellowship Hall.
Household goods are neatly displayed at Hope Resales in the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, which will reopen from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.
When the thrift shop opened, it was their goal to serve God’s people, at home and abroad, Hedges said. Its name was taken from Scripture in Romans 12:9-13, which talks about hope and helping others.
Due to a very successful first year they contributed half of their net proceeds to the church and the other half to mission projects. These included donations to Care Net, Ministry of Concern and Camp Rainbow. Every month, except during the pandemic-caused closing, they donate $200 to the Lyndonville Food Pantry. They also sponsored a Cuban Methodist minister and her family at $150 a month and supported a young girl from Buffalo in her mission journey.
“We haven’t been able to do any mission work while our income was shut off,” Hedges said. “So we will be happy to get back to our missions.”
Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and continuing every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Additional hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays.
Hope Resales in located in basement of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church at 102 North Main St.
