ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - The Rescue Mission Executive Board unanimously approved a plan to better serve shelter guests and community customers of its thrift stores.
The final plan was presented to and approved by the board on July 30 after more than a year of surveys, data collection, and input from staff, board members, and community members.
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The Mission will close its 4th Street Thrift Store on September 6. It will still offer limited shopping on Saturday mornings during the Manna Mission Ministry hours and continue to provide free clothing for those who are receiving residential Rescue Mission services. Customers who currently shop with vouchers at the 4th Street store, will be able to use the vouchers at the 460 Thrift, the Mission's store that opened April 2014 on Orange Avenue.
Mission CEO Joy Sylvester-Johnson says this transition will help improve their services for helping the homeless.
Board members also said they believe customers will really enjoy the 460 store, considering it's location and size.
Nathan Kerr comments, "460 Thrift is located in the Ivy Ridge shopping center with other popular retailers that are attractive to anyone, whether you're bargain shopping or not, so it can be more of a one-stop shopping experience."
George Kegley adds that the 460 store is a bigger store than the 4th Street store, which means a bigger selection.
Even after the 4th Street store closes, the Rescue Mission will not only maintain and improve its donation drop off center. Sylvester-Johnson says the change will help works to sort and process donated items more efficiently.
The Mission's 2nd Helpings Upscale Resale Shop and gallery on Williamson Road will also see changes starting on August 3. Furniture and house wares will be moved to the space where the Gallery currently is. The Gallery will be made smaller, but locally made art will still be available there.