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Controversial Thrift Store Opens Today

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: February 7, 2009

WESLEY CHAPEL - It is John Purcell's mission to keep the Salvation Army Family Store looking as tidy as its palm tree-lined landscaping.

The new, somewhat controversial store on Wesley Chapel Boulevard (County Road 54), across from Lexington Oaks subdivision, is opening today.

Before the store was ready for customers this week, about 20 workers were busy hanging clothes on racks, stocking merchandise on shelves and unloading trucks of donated items.

"For the Tampa area, this will be one of the bigger stores," said Purcell, the store's manager. "It's more modernized. It's more like a family store than a thrift store."

Conveying that message has been especially crucial since the store was proposed a couple of years ago.

Hearing of the planned outlet, many Lexington Oaks residents complained bitterly to Pasco County officials because they were afraid the store would attract homeless people, become an adult drug-rehabilitation center and blight the landscape, which already included several automotive dealerships.

To hear Lexington Oaks resident Esther Larkin tell it, the furor hasn't waned.

"It's very ugly, and they're stupid to have put it there," she said. "Most of their stores are out where there's a means of transportation for people to get there, but this isn't on a public bus line. I'm sorry, but people in this area are not going to shop in this store. There's nothing there to draw people to that store.

"I was in retail 40 years; it makes no sense whatsoever. I don't think that anybody who lives here has changed their attitude about it."
Salvation Army Maj. Don Smith said Larkin and others might be pleasantly surprised by the store's cleanliness, array of merchandise and evolving, family-style atmosphere.

"Historically, the Salvation Army has offered some very interesting items to a wide cross-section of people from various socio-economic backgrounds," he said. "It's everything from antiques and collectibles to people who really need low-cost clothing and furniture. People from every walk of life could find something."

Smith also said that there are no plans to establish a drug-rehabilitation center at the location, although a portion of money made by the store will help underwrite costs at the 131-bed facility for men in Tampa.

As opening day approached this week, the focus was on preparing the 22,000-square-foot store, which was mostly full of merchandise by Tuesday morning.

Near the front door was an antique organ. Nearby was a wide-screen television. There was an assortment of housewares, artwork and furniture, including complete living room sets, entertainment centers and bedding.

There were racks and racks of new-looking men's, women's and children's clothing, DVD players, CD players, radios and other electronics.

Toward the back of the store is a building where donations will be received.

"We'll take about any usable item, because we need the stuff," Purcell said. "But we don't take junk, because that can just lead to an extra expense for us if we have to haul it to the dump.

"You'd be surprised by how generous people are. We get some really nice items."

THRIFT STORE

WHERE: 27040 Wesley Chapel Blvd.

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

DONATIONS: May be dropped off 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

FOR INFORMATION: Call (813) 991-6830.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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