New Beginnings Thrift Store making new beginning
Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2008
Hundreds of teddy bears, rattles, baby-sized overalls, changing tables, bottles and teething rings will be packed into cardboard boxes in Siloam Springs within the next couple of weeks. Soon the items will abandon their familiar shelves on South Hico Street for a new local home.
By the end of this month, the New Beginnings Thrift Store and Incentive Boutique will operate out of its new location at 321 W. Tulsa St., Suite A.
Until school begins, store hours will remain the same, with doors open Monday and Wednesday from 2 to 5 p. m. and Thursday and Friday from 9 a. m. to noon, said store manager Lori Shipman.
“ We’re moving because there just isn’t enough room here anymore, ” Shipman said. “ The only thing that we’re waiting on now really is a building permit transfer and an inspection of the new place. ”
The new location, across from Southside Middle School, has been rented from Developer David Kittle of David Kittle Construction. According to Shipman, Kittle renovated the building last year and rental of an adjacent suite is being negotiated with a second business. Multiple apartments are in the upstairs part of the building.
“ A large disadvantage of being over here is that it is an obscure location, ” Shipman said. “ I think that once we’re located across from Southside people will notice us. ”
Compared to the 200 square feet that New Beginnings is operating out of now on South Hico Street, the new site’s 1, 200 square feet is a breath of fresh air for New Beginnings employees, customers and volunteers.
“ Right now I have a shed out back filled with a lot more stuff, ” Shipman said. “ Because of space issues I can’t put out fall and winter items — now that August is approaching people who want to get ahead are starting to look for that stuff before school starts. ”
New Beginnings Pregnancy Center opened the thrift store, which carries new and used discounted apparel, baby furniture and other infant supplies, on June 13, 2005.
The store opened in a small house that had previously served as the pregnancy center’s hub. The main office is now located at 608 South Hico St.
Today, more than three years later, New Beginnings Thrift Store and Incentive Boutique still offers discounted donated clothing for small children, toys and used maternity clothing.
“ All of the money made from the thrift store goes back into buying new baby items for the New Beginnings incentive program, ” Shipman said. “ We have an incentive room that new mothers are able to spend points earned at the pregnancy center in. ”
The incentive room, separate from the items on sale in the main room, is stocked with new clothes, furniture, bottles, quilted blankets, diaper bundles and toys.
Points for the room can be earned at the pregnancy center by participating in parenting classes, watching educational videos, completing Bible studies, attending services at area churches, providing proof of a high school diploma or GED, keeping scheduled appointments and introducing other expectant mothers to the center, Shipman said.
Extra points may be earned by attending parenting classes at the Jones Center in Springdale, Birth Classes at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital, classes at the Dogwood Literacy Council and marriage counseling sessions.
“ Basically, they can earn points by doing things that will help make them better parents, ” Shipman said.
Items in the specialty incentive boutique are not for sale to the general public and may not be purchased with cash.
For additional information, to volunteer or to donate new or used baby clothes to the thrift store, call 549-3781.
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