Oxford is quickly becoming a bargain hunter’s mecca as the community prepares for the opening of a second large-scale resale store.
Saturday, Nov. 7 is the target date for The Salvation Army to open one of its popular Thrift Stores in the spacious building once occupied by the now-defunct Carla’s Fresh Fruit Market (1200 S. Lapeer Road).
‘It’s a new area for us. We have 25 Thrift Stores in the metro Detroit area,? said Colleen Kinney, director of community relations for The Salvation Army, Southeast Michigan, Adult Rehabilitation Center. ‘We’re looking forward to being in a new community and providing the same high level of thrift store shopping.?
Back in February, Goodwill, which is not connected to Salvation Army, opened a resale store at 1500 S. Lapeer Road.
Salvation Army’s Oxford store will occupy all 22,000 square feet of the former fruit market.
‘Most of the suburban stores that we’ve been opening in the last five to seven years have been at least that big,? Kinney said.
A wide variety of donated items will be sold at the store including clothing, electronics, books, furniture, sporting goods, housewares, jewelry, accessories, shoes, bikes, appliances, mattresses, bedding and seasonal items such as lawn mowers and snowblowers.
‘It’s pretty all-encompassing. Think of it like a Target,? Kinney said. ‘It’s a wonderful place to get a wonderful deal.?
Every Thrift Store prides itself on being a fun place to shop. Kinney said everything’s always organized and the place is ‘open to anybody who wants to bargain.?
Besides being a resale store, the building will also function as a drop-off site for the donation of new and gently-used items from the general public. All donations to The Salvation Army are tax deductible.
Kinney said the donation center will probably open sometime in early October, three or four weeks ahead of the Thrift Store.
‘Usually what happens is the donation center opens first,? she said. ‘It kind of helps us get the store set up.?
Revenue generated by the Thrift Store funds The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center program, which helps participants learn to live a balanced lifestyle through work therapy, individual and group counseling, and the practical application of the Christian faith.
‘Our program’s supported entirely through the Thrift Stores,? Kinney said. ‘Whether they shop or drop off donations there, they help the Salvation Army. Through our Thrift Stores we provide programs at no cost for people in need.?
Those looking for a job should be pleased to learn the Thrift Store plans to hire between 20 and 25 full and part-time employees.
Kinney explained the store needs a ‘core group? of full-time staffers with part-timers filling in where needed.
The Oxford store should begin hiring later this month.
Watch the store window for a sign indicating dates and times to apply.
Once it opens, shoppers will be able to enjoy the Thrift Store from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
‘You can generally donate (items) anytime the store is open,? Kinney said.
Those wishing to donate on Sundays, when the store’s closed, will be able to do so between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.