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 at 27040 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (County Road 54), across from the 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."
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 had several automotive dealerships.
Salvation Army Maj. Don Smith said residents might be pleasantly surprised by the store's cleanliness, array of merchandise and evolving, family-style atmosphere.
Geoff Fox
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