Though the Douglas County Historical Society Thrift Store is closed most of each January, it is still a very busy place this time of year.
Each January the store is given a thorough cleaning. Items that have been on the shelves for a long time are removed and donated to other nonprofits that can use them. New items are brought out. Everything is made ready for the new season, which begins in February.
In 2018, Thrift Store manager Sharon Casteel stepped down. At their Jan. 15 meeting, the historical society board named two new co-managers: Linda Daling and Judy Dalton. Both Daling and Dalton have been volunteers at the Thrift Store for a number of years.
The store has been a great support for the historical society, which operates the Douglas County Museum. In 2018, the store brought in over $30,000. Of this, $18,000 was profit that was able to be given to the historical society to support its operating budget.
Pat Ludeman can’t remember exactly how long she has been volunteering, but she guessed about 30 or 40 years. When she started, the store was still located at the Malloy Building on Chelan Avenue, which is the current location of The Checkered Tablecloth.
The Thrift Store is scheduled to open on Feb. 4 and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The store will soon have a Facebook page with weekly specials posted.
The store welcomes donations during business hours. They also have a consignment shop and welcome all kinds of items to sell on consignment, including furniture, clothing, jewelry and decorations.
From the Empire Press