Addiction-recovery ministry opens second thrift shop
April 8, 2021
A faith-based addiction-recovery organization has opened a second thrift store.
The Thrift Shop’s new location is in a former veterinary clinic at 3209 S. Summit Ave., just north of 41st Street. A dozen former exam rooms and offices allow for merchandise to be displayed by type in the different spaces – there’s a living room, kitchen, library/office and rooms for bedding, clothing, children’s items, tools and more.
The sale of donated goods supports the work of Washed Clean Addiction & Recovery Ministries, a transitional home that works with men to rebuild their lives.
The first store at 3422 S. Minnesota Ave. opened in late October, and the new site is more than twice the size, said Craig Nichols, who started the ministry with his wife, Nikki, in 2017.
While the thrift shops provide revenue for the ministry, they also serve as a steppingstone to addiction resources at Washed Clean and other organizations in the area, Nichols said.
“It’s kind of a multipurpose building, not just thrift but a lot of visiting and communicating with people. I knew the thrift store was going to be good, but we meet a lot of people that come in that either have a son, a daughter, a brother that struggle with addiction. It’s just amazing stories that we hear. And people are just kind of struggling too, and they just want a place where they can be heard.”
The coffeepot is always on.
“It’s just a place to feel at home, feel safe, talk,” he said.
The original store began making a difference within days of opening, he added.
“Our first week open, a guy came to the thrift store, and it was like three days later we brought him into the Washed Clean transition home. It’s just been amazing. We’ve gotten guys to treatment center from there.”
One of the rooms in the new store holds a studio for Heart Street Art Ministry, a nonprofit organization started by Danny Burden, who went through Washed Clean’s program.
“As we continue to work with people, now they can become business owners and start nonprofits to help other people as well through that,” Nichols said.
The new store’s hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Donated goods can be dropped off during business hours at either location. The Minnesota Avenue shop is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The ministry added a delivery truck and can pick up items within 20 miles of Sioux Falls, Nichols said. Pickups can be arranged by calling 605-323-8283. The truck also can be used to deliver larger purchases such as bedroom sets.
In addition to donating goods, individuals or groups can help the store by volunteering, Nichols said. C6 Church is providing volunteers and helping with costs for the new location.
“Addiction is one of the reasons that crime rates are high in the community,” said the Rev. Zach Ochoga, founder of C6. “Anything that helps with bringing down the numbers in term of addiction, it will also impact on the crime rate. What he (Nichols) is doing directly impacts on that. Obviously, he can’t do it all by himself, but it helps a little bit.”
