A new thrift store in town offers residents a chance to find great deals while helping the local pet population. The McKinley County Humane Society Thrift Store opened July 6, and has been very popular since.
“We’re popping over here,” store manager Tera Selleck said. “We’re getting donations coming in all day and lots of people have been in to shop.”
Located in the old Griswold’s Inc. at 2006 E. Hwy 66, the store accepts donations and resells them, with all proceeds going to the local Humane Society.
Christa Ramey, who took over as board Vice President in February, said she thinks the thrift shop will be good for the organization.
“The thrift store allows us to purchase food for the animals without relying on grants all the time,” Ramey said. “Other shelters I’ve talked with say thrift stores are their most reliable source of income.”
The Society’s shelter was effectively shut down for many months last year due to Coronavirus fears and precautions. The new thrift shop is one way for the group to get back on track. The shelves are now filled with a plethora of types of merchandise.
“We’ve lots of clothes, of course, but also toys, household goods, jewelry, and purses,” Selleck said. She added that they had a number of tools, but those went fast.
There are some items Selleck said they can’t take in. The store will not take mattresses, pillows, car seats, or bicycle helmets.
“Bicycle helmets have expiration dates, and the others are for hygienic reasons,” Selleck said. “If we took everything to the Laundromat, we’d have to add that six dollars to what we charge.”
For that reason, the thrift store takes clean clothes only. Those looking for a good bargain or wanting to donate can stop in Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am until 5 pm.
It took nearly three weeks to get the store set up and prices marked on everything. Selleck said she thinks people really like helping local animals and there has been plenty of enthusiasm.
“Gallup has been wonderful with their generosity,” Selleck said. “I really want to thank everyone for making our first two weeks phenomenal.”
By Russell Jones
Sun Correspondent
