Opening another second-hand store creates more options, but no competition

MT. PLEASANT — While the appropriate response to a compliment on a piece of clothing, art or furniture is traditionally “thank you,” those who have found these items after a long search in a thrift store are more likely to respond, “Thank you! It was only (insert surprisingly small amount of money here)!”

Since Goodwill opened a store in Mt. Pleasant last summer, the opportunities to facilitate such promotions have only increased.

Goodwill of the Heartland hosted the grand opening of its 19th location in Mt. Pleasant on August 4th of last year, with crowds lining up to get in. Goodwill has managed to continue bringing people to Mt. Pleasant by integrating themselves into the community with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and later an Easter egg hunt.

Although Fellowship Cup’s Quarter Maybe More store already offers secondhand deals in Mt. Pleasant, Goodwill continues to receive donations and visits from shoppers. In fact, Fellowship Cup Director Ken Brown says he sees Goodwill’s presence in Mt. Pleasant as a good thing because it brings people to Mt. Pleasant looking not only for good deals but also for unique items.

“Most people who buy secondhand don’t just go to one thrift store,” he said. “They go to many. So we see this as a good thing that will attract more people because it will restore a good reputation here.”

That’s exactly how some 4H participants found their outfits at the 2024 Share the Fun 4H Fashion Show at the Henry County Fair.

As Triple C 4H member Abby Striegel strutted in a bright green dress, the master of ceremonies told the audience how much Striegel loves taking on the challenge of scouring thrift stores for bargains and trendy outfits.

Avery Wagner, a 10-year member of the New London Lassies and Lads, was looking for her favorite sportswear and found a blue Nike shirt and printed athletic shorts. Wagner managed to find the outfit for under $10.

Goodwill states that secondhand shopping not only offers good deals, but also results in fewer resource usage, less waste, and less chemical pollution. Combined with their mission to help the community, Brown finds it hard to find fault with an organization with similar goals as Quarter Store.

“We love what Goodwill does,” said Ken Brown, director of the Fellowship Cup. “We don’t see it as a detriment to our work. Goodwill is in other major cities like Burlington and Washington, and there are other organizations there that do the same work we do, and they all work together.”

Brown says the Fellowship Cup and the Quarter Store focus on very local needs, whereas Goodwill can cast a wider net and both serve the community well.

Goodwill’s overarching mission is to provide employment opportunities and training to people with disabilities as a “help, not a handout.” They focus on helping people have good careers, build functional livelihoods, and work toward a high level of independence. They also assist homeless veterans and people in the communities they serve with voucher programs.

The Quarter Maybe More Store helps those in need in a similar way by not only offering special deals but also providing resources through the Fellowship Cup. Proceeds from sales at the Quarter Store go directly to the Fellowship Cup, which then helps community members with programs such as Bridges Out of Poverty, food distributions, summer lunch box programs, and school supply distribution.

Since Goodwill opened in Mt. Pleasant, The Quarter Store has continued to collect donations and purchases and found ways to keep those folks coming back. With the opening of the new thrift store, the company is now offering after-hours donations and extending its hours.

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