Everything from records and books to housewares, paintings and antiques can be found at the Thrifty Kitty Thrift Boutique, a thrift shop operated by Humane Pennsylvania (Humane PA) at 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. All proceeds from sales at the store benefit the animals and programs of Humane PA.

The shop is located in a bright purple building behind Humane PA's adoption center. The shop is volunteer operated, and it sells goods donated by community members.

"The building has been here since before the Humane League of Lancaster County and the Humane Society of Berks County merged to form Humane PA. It was a veterinary clinic," explained Karel Minor, president and CEO of Humane PA. "The Humane League had moved the vet clinic, and (the building) was just being used for storage or whatever we needed it for."

Prior to opening the shop, Minor visited similar facilities in Florida. "There are two very large (stores operated by the) Vero Beach Humane Society, and they have 20,000 square feet between the two stores and they (raise) half of their budget," he noted. "I checked out their stores and talked to their managers."

He said that the key to operating a successful thrift store is to sell only donated goods and to operate using only a volunteer staff. "When we were looking at the economics of having donated stuff and (using) all or mostly volunteer staff, it's all profit," he said. "If you have to buy things and if they don't sell, you are wasting money. "

Renovations were made to the facility, primarily by volunteers along with some Humane PA staff members who worked during their free time. Shelving was purchased at a discount from a pharmacy that went out of business.

"We did paint; we added lighting to make it better and drywall. We had a soft opening after Thanksgiving in 2024, and it was actively open after New Year's," Minor said. "We had our official grand opening in April."

There are various rooms in the shop, including a kitchen where glassware, dishes and household goods are located. There is also a room for fine china and an area where records, books and other media are displayed. There are shelves filled with vases donated by a local florist, and several valuable paintings on display.

"(The building) was already broken up into the rooms; we just opened it up so you could see into them," Minor noted.

The store is open on Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but more days will be added if volunteers step up. Volunteer duties include cleaning, pricing and sorting incoming donations.

"If people are unable or don't want volunteer directly with the animals, this is the way they can help the animals," Minor noted. "We ask people to do one shift a month which is four hours."

In addition to volunteers, donations are welcome. Needed items are vintage goods and antiques of all types; books, comic books and magazines; glassware, kitchenware and cookware; records, CDs, tapes and other recorded media; toys, games and puzzles; and artwork. All items must be clean and in good condition. Items that are not accepted include furniture, mattresses, televisions, electronics and clothing.

For more details or to complete a volunteer application, visit http://www.humanepa.org/the-thrifty-kitty-thrift-boutique. Those with questions may call 717-393-6551.