A retail thrift shop for the public that also serves needy people in south Washington County will celebrate the New Year in style.
On Jan. 2, Stone Soup Thrift Shop will open in the old St. Paul Park Junior High School in St. Paul Park. The door to the shop is next to the door that leads to the Oltman Junior High School swimming pool.
Since 1997, the shop was located in Cottage Square Mall until businesses re-located because of the redevelopment of property east of Hadley Avenue.
"The store will open one year and two days from when we closed," said Becky Munson, acting shop manager.
Munson said her only regret in leaving the old site is a hand-painted "Stone Soup" sign on the back wall of the store that won't be moved.
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The graffiti-style sign was painted by a youth doing community service through the Washington County Youth Service Bureau, an organization which helps troubled kids.
Since opening, the store has provided supervised work for 882 adults and youth doing more than 19,000 hours of community service, according to store records.
"The sign is not as important as to why it's there," Munson said.
The store also provided opportunities for other youth of the community, including church confirmation classes and other service groups, to volunteer with more than 300 youth donating a total of nearly 16,000 hours of work.
Munson and Stone Soup board member Majel Carroll, were checking the old site recently to see if there is anything that still needs to be moved.
Volunteers will move the items, including some remaining fixtures and "exit" signs.
Carroll, who is spearheading the opening of the new site, said the store has a semi-trailer "filled with stuff" that is needed, including sorting tables, bins and shelving.
The store had 6,000 square feet at the old site and will move into a smaller space. However, there is a possibility of getting additional space, according to Carroll.
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An attractive feature of the new site is access to a loading dock for people dropping off "gently-used" items. No electronics will be accepted at the store and only small household appliances in working condition are wanted.
No used mattresses can be accepted, but the store will put donors in contact with people who need them.
With vouchers from community and county service agencies, needy people can select items from the store free of charge.
Funding to open the new site comes partially from money given to re-locating businesses, and from donations. Carroll plans to submit grants to foundations that offer funding.
"It's going to be squeaky," Carroll said. "I think we have God on our side and it will work."
Many former volunteers are returning to help with the new store, but more help is needed. Only the store manager and another half-time person are paid. "We're all volunteers," Carroll said.
New carpet is being installed, but there is a need for volunteers with tools who can fill holes in walls, paint and put up shelving.
"We need 'fix it' people," she said.
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Cash donations are needed as well and can be sent to: Stone Soup, Mainstreet Bank, 2104 Hastings Ave., Newport 55055.
For information, or to volunteer, call (651) 458-9786.
