Second Maxine’s Closet helps stock shelves of  food pantry in Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE — Just over two years ago, Maxine’s Closet Thrift Shop opened up on 3rd Avenue in Chesapeake.

A ministry of Chesapeake United Methodist Church, the store’s mission was offering gently worn clothes for everyone, from infants to adults, at an unbeatable price and forwarding proceeds to the Community Mission Outreach food pantry to help grow their capacity to serve families struggling to put food on the table.

“We had an instant connection with our community,” recalls Associate Pastor The Rev. Christine Case, who serves as store manager.  “Sales in our first year exceeded my goal of $25,000.  We have been able to supplement the food pantry with over $30,000 with which they have been able to keep the shelves stocked and expand food offerings to items on many families’ wish list.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 17th, the next phase in the ministry’s growth will officially open, as the store opens at their new location at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 4th Street in Chesapeake.

“Customers began telling us almost from the moment we opened in 2015 that we needed more space,” Case recalls. “Our community has given us overwhelming support through donations of clothes and other merchandise and we knew before long that we needed to begin looking for a bigger building to meet the needs in our community.  We explored several options, and in the end have been blessed with our new space on 2nd Ave., just one block from our church.”

The Rev. Chuck Case notes, “In anticipation of our expansion, last winter we wrote and were awarded a “Strategic Ministry Grant” from our Shawnee Valley District to help us with initial needs of new fixtures and signage to get things started, and some funding to staff expanded hours.

The new location at 401 2nd Ave. is the former location of the Chesapeake branch of Wesbanco, and the original Chesapeake office of Lawrence County Federal Savings and Loan.

“It provides nearly four times the space we had on Third Avenue, and the unique setting of a former bank, for shopping”, Case said. “In addition, we have a nice parking lot and street parking for the convenience of our customers.”

“Our formula hasn’t changed one bit.  We serve our neighbors by offering gently used items at family friendly prices, and give our neighbors an avenue to serve by sharing donations of gently worn clothing and gently used household goods,  as well as a place to serve our neighbors by volunteering at the thrift shop.”

Since the store began, the diverse volunteer team has been composed of members of the church family, and has grown to include members of other churches, as well as students and community members who believe in our mission.  “We welcome those who would like to join us in this mission to come and see what God is doing,” said Case.

The thrift shop is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.  The original store location at 3rd Avenue and Big Branch Road continues to serve as a donation processing center.

Donations are always welcome and can be brought to the store during regular store hours.  After hours, donors can call the store at 740-861-6787 to arrange drop off.