Volunteer-Run Store Reopens After Renovations

by Jonathan Weaver

A thrift store in the 100 block of Market Street in Kittanning reopened after a three-week hiatus January 13.

The St. Vincent de Paul thrift store is usually closed during the Christmas/New Year’s holidays, but Sandy Bauer, chairman of the store board of directors, said the store was closed an extra week to allow for some cosmetic changes; including new ceiling tile, a door for the fitting room instead of a curtain and a slot wall to display portraits for sale rather than them sitting in boxes.

“With everything we’ve done in here, it makes it really nice,” Bauer said. “We had a crew that did the ceiling and one that painted, and in between the ceiling and the painting, they had to wipe the walls down because of all the dust. So we had three crews over Christmas.

“A fresh coat of paint made it much brighter. Nothing’s on the floor – everything has a place. The items are basically where they were before, but you can see it more.”

Professional contractors included Shaffer’s Painting and Stull Cleaning and Supply – both Kittanning companies – as well as many individual laborers. Bauer estimated the store hasn’t been painted in eight years – since the store moved in from across the street - and the ceiling hasn’t been changed in about 50 years.

“We had professional crews come in, so hopefully we don’t have to do it for many, many years,” Bauer said. “They did an excellent job – they made it a lot nicer.”

Income generated by store profits was allocated for the renovations, but based on the teachings of the Catholic priest, final cost was not divulged.

The store, run by 65-70 volunteers from a variety of backgrounds (including retired teachers, secretaries and factory workers) and religious beliefs is operated by a partnership of St. Lawrence in Cadogan, Christ Prince of Peace in Ford City, St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church in Kittanning, and the Knights of Columbus.

Chris Lettrich of Kittanning was one of the steady customers that visited the store on her work break Tuesday to look for treasures. She said she missed browsing in the store and seeing the volunteers during the renovations.

Volunteer Sally Moody of Applewold attends First Baptist Church in Kittanning. She has volunteered Tuesday, Thursday and every other Saturday for about seven years.

“All of the volunteers have worked together for so long we’re like one big family,” Moody said. “We share our lives, and we try to share that with the community.”

Art Kemp, of West Kittanning, has also volunteered seven years at the store and also assisted the contractors with “odds-and-ends.”

“Three weeks was a long time to be away. My wife had a list of things for me to keep busy,” Kemp said.

The thrift store was located just across the street – in the former Erdos Brothers furniture store – before the store moved to its current location (which formerly housed a flower shop, martial arts studio and Brown’s Boot Shop) in August 2009.

The only other St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in the county is in Apollo.