Conley's opens community thrift shop
Now that the congregation of Conley's United Methodist Church has moved into its new home south of Route 24, the existing church building has been converted to support the community.
Pat Short and Pastor Mike Hurley talked about potential uses for the old church building at the corner of Conleys Chapel Road and Robinsonville Road, north of Route 24, and decided to open a community thrift shop.
The Conley's community thrift shop opened May 21 and has been thriving ever since.
Short, who manages the shop and the board of directors, said it wouldn't have been possible without great volunteers, dedicated board members and donations from the community.
The shop is now filled with furniture, books, all types of clothing and plenty of housewares. The selling point for the shop is the organization and cleanliness. Every item has its spot and the volunteers work hard to keep the space clean and tidy.
The historic Conley's Chapel remains open for special services and events, Short said.
Church members started brainstorming for the thrift shop in 2010 and by January 2011 had plenty of donations and were finalizing allowances through the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission. The shop is running as a nonprofit, so it is a tax-exempt organization, Short said.
"A lot of hard work went into the shop and it took a lot of great people coming together to get it all done," Short said. "Donations have been coming from everywhere. So far, furniture is a big seller."
Residents can drop off donations Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Everything must be in good condition for sale. The volunteers check to make sure small appliances work before they sell them; and if a customer gets an item home and it doesn't work, they can bring it back for a refund.
It takes about 25 volunteers to make the shop run smoothly. Short is there every day helping keep everything in order.
A background in business, restaurant management and secretarial work has helped Short keep it all organized, she said. After retiring in the area, Short said she didn't feel at home until she found the Conley's Chapel congregation. Now, it is her family and she wanted to give back to the community that has given her so much.
"With the economy the way it is, thrift stores are necessary," Short said. "Thrift stores should work together because we are all working for the community. If a customer comes in and can't find something here, we are willing to call around for them or find a shop that has what they need."
It's all about community for Short and the thrift store. It is a place for residents to donate items and a place for other residents to find items they need for a lower cost.
"This is one of the friendliest, most caring churches I have ever seen," Short said. "Everyone is really devoted to the community."
The thrift shop board of directors includes: Short, Pat Vogt, Gwen Michel, Dale Kehrer and John Kehrer. Another church member, Ed Perry, took care of the leg work at the county level to get the shop up and running, Short said.
For more information on the thrift shop at Conley's Chapel, call 302-945-5566 or visit www.conleysthriftshop.com. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thrift shop plans Super Saturday Sale
Conley’s thrift shop is planning a Super Saturday Sale on Saturday, June 11. Customers can expect 15 percent off all furniture and 10 percent off everything else. Hot dogs and sodas will be available for purchase.
