Color-coordinated clothes, Halloween decorations, furniture and other merchandise await purchase at the new Salvation Army Family Store in Chesterfield Township.
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But eager shoppers must employ patience because the 30,000-square-foot store in the Premier Lanes plaza off 23 Mile doesn't open until Aug. 25.
Meanwhile, its longtime location just down the road that turns into Green Street in New Baltimore .
Moving down the road
"We pretty much produced all new merchandise for this store," said Jacqulynn Idzior, director of operations for Salvation Army Southeast Adult Rehabilitation Center of the township location. "We definitely wanted to stay in the area."
Staying in the area but on the busier stretch of the road closer to Interstate 94 means higher foot traffic expectations. Store officials hope to attract 300-350 shoppers daily--nearly 100 more than the current customer count in New Baltimore. The weekend traffic is anticipated to be higher.
A more spacious parking lot, larger donation drop-off in the rear of the building and about 6,000 additional square feet inside for retail will help accommodate the public, according to the Salvation Army.
The store has also employed 20 new part-time workers, bringing the total amount of employees to about 45.
Helping people in need
"All of the money that we generate comes through the donors," Idzior said Friday. "We receive no government funds."
The faith-based nonprofit founded in 1865 by William Booth in London, England utilizes money from its 33 Southeastern Michigan thrift stores to support those in need through its Adult Rehabilitation Center that helps people right here in the region.
"The ARC is an integral part of the TSA's mission and offers substance-abusing adults the opportunity to rebuild their lives through a voluntary, short-term residential self-help program designed to establish a sense of dignity, self-esteem and personal strength that will allow them to resist the desire to abuse a substance and regain their rightful place as contributing members of society," according to the Salvation Army.
Store hours
The Chesterfield Township grand opening begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 25. The New Baltimore store will close Aug. 24.
The township location will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday for sales and donations. It will be open for donations only from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit www.salarmythrift.com. See Patch's photo gallery of the new store.
