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Habitat Thrift Store Open For Business
(Hernando Today Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 16--BROOKSVILLE -- Carol Austin slid on the black sandal and gave it a look and a step.
Austin, of Masaryktown, was also trying something else out Wednesday -- the new location of Habitat for Humanity's thrift store.
She put the sandal back, but raved about the store.
"I like it," she said. "It's nice and bright."
The local organization that provides homes for needy residents is celebrating its own new digs.
After many months of real estate hunting, the nonprofit group found a home for its thrift store and office space in a 12,000-square-foot former Walgreens store at 19450 Cortez Blvd., in the Brooksville Square shopping plaza at the corner of Cortez and Broad Street.
The store opened May 5.
"The location is excellent," said Cliff Fouts, the group's executive director.
Habitat had leased 13,500 square feet from Christian Contractors Association (CCA) in a building on U.S. 41, south of the Hernando County Airport, since 2005.
The county discovered that Habitat was operating a business on land zoned industrial, and CCA did not want to seek a rezoning. County officials gave Habitat time to look for a new place.
The group had its eye on the Brooksville Square site last year but was turned down by the owner, who said a thrift store wouldn't be good for business, Fouts said.
Habitat got its hopes up for a former manufacturing plant and warehouse on Oliver Street near the Hernando County Fairgrounds, but that fell through. Then the group found out earlier this year Brooksville Square had been sold and tried again.
The new owner greeted them with open arms, Fouts said.
Habitat has set aside a 2,000-square-foot section of space for offices. The word "Hallmark" on one wall hints at the building's former life -- the area was once a liquor store attached to Walgreens and then, later, the gift shop.
Store manager Barbara Yanichko said she is getting used to making do with less floor space available for merchandise.
"It's a challenge, but I love where we are," Yanichko said.
She said the location -- in a busy shopping center that already houses a sub shop, hair salon, Laundromat, discount store, Chinese restaurant and check cashing operation, among others -- is worth the sacrifice. She said she has already noticed not just an increase in foot traffic, but also that regular customers of the former store are showing up more often because of the convenient location.
Habitat, a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, receives some donations, but proceeds from the thrift store enable it to provide affordable housing to local families. The group spends about $75,000 per home and averages two to three homes per year.
The group is currently working on two homes in a neighborhood off California Street.
Dave Currey of Masaryktown sifted through a box of electronic cables in the new store Monday. The old store was closer to his home, but Currey said he'll still visit the store as often as he always did.
"Even if I'm coming to town for something else, it's fun to stop by," he said. "We always find something."
Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.
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Copyright (c) 2008, Hernando Today, Brooksville, Fla.
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