The Church of Eleven22 intends to open Hope’s Closet Thrift in the fall in the former Winn-Dixie space near the church at Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road.
Hope’s Closet General Manager Corie Whidden said the church is targeting August for the opening. The overall vision for the space is as a Community Transformation Center that helps to support the church’s local and global ministry partners.
The thrift store will sell clothing and home goods as well as new items from its ministry partners, including Rethreaded, Okoa Refuge, McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation, The Carry Cross and Alfies Clothing.
For example, Rethreaded’s merchandise includes headbands, scarves and necklaces made by women who are learning skills after lives of addiction, violence, human trafficking and prostitution.
Whidden said Hope’s Closet will take about 23,000 square feet of the almost 47,000-square-foot former grocery store with the remainder envisioned to become the Community Transformation Center.
The thrift store is phase one and the church continues to work out details.
“We have been praying about that space as a church and trying to figure out where God is directing us as to how to support our community,” she said.
Whidden said the mission is to “glorify God by providing affordable merchandise in a dignified retail setting that will allow us to disciple people, fund the Transformation Center’s programs, and promote and support our ministry partners.”
Church volunteers will staff the store and Whidden hopes to create a community outreach volunteer program that would allow church members to help teach life skills, such as customer service. Future programs under consideration include counseling and job training.
“This is more than just a retail space. It’s more of a connection with the community,” she said.
Donations are being accepted at the site from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. More information is at coe22.com/hopescloset.
The church seeks donations of gently used clothing for men, women and children; shoes and handbags; furniture, electronics, small appliances and home goods; toys and bikes; and books, DVDs and CDs.
However, it does not accept liquid items, auto parts, used mattresses, bed pillows, food, large appliances, clothes with holes or stains, or undergarments or bathing suits.
The Church of Eleven22 is at 14286 Beach Blvd., suite 2. The thrift store will be at suite 44. Landscape architect Janet O. Whitmill submitted site plans to the city. Bradley Bowen Development Inc. is the contractor.
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