Second Street Is Now Welcome Home Thrift And More

Years ago, Debbie Hollinger, founder of Home International, referred to the Second Street Thrift Shop she opened to help support that ministry as a "thrift-tique." Now that Alisha and Don Wambolt have reopened the shop as Welcome Home Thrift and More, in the Ironspire complex at 2800 North Reading Road, Suite 430, Adamstown, they are branding the new location with that concept in mind.

Alisha first became involved in the Second Street operation in spring 2018, taking on a management role later that year and working closely with Debbie as she prepared to step into leadership. When the property at 222 N. Reading Road, Denver, where Second Street was located, was sold, the Wambolts looked for new spaces. Both Alisha and Don saw potential in the Ironspire space.

While the store still supports Home International, which provides group homes for girls in India, Alisha noted that the store's new name embodies Debbie's passion for those girls to feel they were not in an orphanage, but rather at home. "We are honoring Debbie's desire for the girls in India to feel that they were welcomed home," said Alisha. The store has also been a resource to local families in need, partnering with area organizations to provide necessary clothing and items.

The name Welcome Home also refers to the store's expansion into home decor and furniture. Housewares and clothing for men, women, and children are still plentiful, but Don has been able to put his talents and creative gifts to work refinishing furniture for the store, which he had been doing as a hobby. "We are repurposing a lot of furniture," said Don, who focuses on items dating from the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. "A lot of stuff is good quality but just outdated," he said. The store now carries Dixie Belle paints. "We thought, 'If we use the product, we will carry it,'" said Don, who noted that he is considering holding classes to help teach customers how to refinish their own finds.

Welcome Home partners with other organizations that work to support those in need, including AbiArt Creative cards, which helps fund an orphanage in Haiti; Empowered Goods jewelry, which helps artisans in Mexico overcome poverty; and Girl Crush Company of Mount Joy, which helps single mothers reach self-sustainability.

The shop is currently open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extra parking and a second entrance are located at the back of the store.

Among the donated items Welcome Home accepts are scrubs, toys, games, crafts, supplies, books, CDs, DVDs, jewelry, and small kitchen appliances.

Volunteers are sought to sort donations and work in the shop on a regular basis. Alisha noted that groups are needed for one-time projects along. Applications may be picked up at the store.

More information may be found at http://www.welcomehomethrift.com.