Adrian Salvation Army adds storage space to thrift store – The Daily Telegram

Spencer Durham|The Daily Telegram

ADRIAN A 2,500-square-foot addition to the Salvation Army's thrift store in Adrian will allow for all donations to be stored safely inside.

Construction began late last summer on a storage and receiving facility. It is attached to the back of the thrift store. The space allows for storing and sorting donations. There's also enough room for the Salvation Army to keep its emergency disaster vehicle inside, safe from the elements.

Salvation Army staff, the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce and community members were on hand Wednesday morning for a brief dedication ceremony.

"We have been eagerly awaiting this property," said Capt. Jacob Tripp.

Tripp and his wife, Melinda, lead the local Salvation Army, acting as both pastors and administrators. They started this past July.

Additional space had been discussed for years. Longtime volunteers remember when they first heard about the idea years ago.

Tripp said they finally received enough community support and funding to build the $750,000 addition.

"In the long run, it's going to change how the store can operate," he said.

The addition comes at a good time. Despite thrift store sales being down, donations have remained steady. The Salvation Army is now accepting furniture, which will require more space.

The organization is already making use of its new addition, storing bales of clothes. Gone are the days of bales of clothes wrapped in blue tarps were stored outside. This would inevitably lead to some clothes being ruined.

"We can make sure everything can be saved," Tripp said. "This space is really going to help us."

The organization has a machine that packs clothes not sold in the store into large bales. These are then sold to other organizations and developing countries. A semitruck load can fetch $12,000.

"We have been selling good products on the floor and back here," said Tim Schroeder, store consultant.

More storage space for more donations means more revenue for the Salvation Army.

"This is a way to help us do what we do and help us do more in the community," Tripp said.

Donations can be made between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.Monday through Friday at the thrift store, 247 W. Church St., Adrian.

The store accepts a wide range of items, including clothes, belts, furniture and hats. Items must still be useable.

For more information, call 517-263-3650.

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Adrian Salvation Army adds storage space to thrift store - The Daily Telegram