PAS Thrift Store celebrates expansion

PONDERAY — The Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store is holding a grand reopening today through Sunday, July 10.

The cause for the celebration? Expansion — the retail floor has increased from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, shelter executive director Mandy Evans said.

Those who have donated their gently-used items to the PAS Thrift Store over the past two years, may have noticed overwhelming amounts of donations accumulated in the backroom, she said.

“Through the years the store has grown in popularity and support, generating an increase in items donated on a regular basis,” she said. “The backroom and sales floor were no longer large enough to accommodate the significant increase. This ‘good’ problem has led to processing the donations off-site and expanding the sales floor.”

When asked about the decision to process donations off-site, Evans was clear on the need.

“We feel extremely grateful for the tremendous support our community provides to the shelter’s store,” she said. “This solution allows us to continue accepting community donations.”

Thanks to the steadfast support of community, the thrift store provides over half the financial support for the shelter. Support goes out to the community as well. PAS keeps the thrift store prices low so community members who are financially challenged by regular-retail prices can find the items they need for a whole lot less. In addition, the store will come to the aid of individual community members in need assistance, by providing items when they are needed, such as in the case of a house fire or when children are lacking essential clothing. The help is given whether the request comes from the individual directly or from an organization requesting assistance on the behalf of others.

The days of the grand reopening are Friday, July 8, and Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday,

July 10, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and there will be drawings for fun door prizes. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to sign up to volunteer at the thrift store. With so many donated items coming in on a regular basis, volunteers are need to help get merchandise out on the

sales floor so that the store can continue to prosper and, in turn, benefit others, four-legged animals and humans alike.