Conley's Community Thrift Store celebrates first anniversary

Conley's Community Thrift Store is celebrating its first year in business, and managers say this year has taught them how generous the community can be.

The store occupies the former chapel, where every available space – even the old Sunday school rooms and the pastor's office – overflows with neatly- organized donated merchandise. Pat Short said the church had to procure four extra sheds and a flatbed truck to store all the donations.

“I was brainstorming with the pastor for a way to give back to the community and reach out, and we came up with this,” Short said of the thrift shop. “As a result, we’ve been able to witness several customers down on their luck, and we’ve been able to pray with them and send them to our pastor.”

The thrift shop, she said, has helped furnish a home for a family that lost theirs in a fire. The shop also donates to local charities including Tunnel Cancer Center, Oak Orchard Boys and Girls Club, the SPCA and Home of the Brave, to name a few.

Short said the thrift store has filled a need, offering everything from gently-used furniture to clothing and housewares. In the shop's boutique room, visitors can find vintage wedding gowns.

“With the economy the way it is, there has been a huge need in the communities,” Short said. “It’s definitely been a huge service to the community. The first year has been incredible.”

When the church moved in 2010 to a new, larger chapel, fellow manager Pat Vogt said space became available at the chapel.

“This became possible because membership outgrew the chapel, and we built a new church on Jolyn’s Way,” Vogt said. “Because our church is a tithing church, 10 percent of our monthly income goes toward charitable donations in this part of Sussex County.”

July marks the official first year of operations for a shop staffed almost entirely by volunteers, Voight said. The thrift store will be offering additional discounts to celebrate its anniversary and an anniversary yard sale is set Saturday, July 28.

“It’s a wonderful fellowship among the volunteers and customers,” Vogt said. “We know their names, we know their stories. It’s not just a business, it’s a Christian ministry.”

Conley’s Community Thrift Store is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The store is located in the old chapel at 22150 Robinsonville Road, Lewes. For more information, call 302-945-5566.