Thrift store expands and so have its goals for Camano Center

CAMANO ISLAND — There was never quite enough space to show off something like the mid-century modern dining room set, with Christmas china set as though someone were about to serve a holiday meal.

Now, the dining set is is one of several carefully arranged displays in the new addition at 2nd Chance Thrift Shop.

The nonprofit store provides about 53 percent of the budget for the Camano Center, which offers senior and family resources on Camano Island. Those in charge of the shop hope to increase business enough to provide 60 percent of the center’s funding.

A six-month, $613,000 project to add a second building next to the old store just wrapped up. The addition opened Dec. 16. It was paid for through private donations, and display boards list more than 300 names of people, families and organizations who contributed. The list doesn’t include the many customers who dropped donations into jars on the counter in the old building, store manager Roxanne Robertson-Moore said.

The building is just less than 4,000 square feet. Bay doors allow volunteers to easily accept large donations. Robertson-Moore finally has an office. She used to work from her car when she needed a quiet space. For the first time, the store has a dishwasher and washing machine, and indoor restrooms for customers.

The addition has a high ceiling, bright lights and lots of windows, including a stained glass piece by Jack Archibald. On Thursday, teddy bears sat in an old rocking chair, jackets and dresses hung from clothes racks and people perused knickknacks displayed on shelves and tables.

Bonnie Brown, of Camano Island, comes to the store frequently. Her husband volunteers, and she likes to shop for clothes, jewelry and housewares. She thinks the new, larger space will help the store with its mission to support Camano Center.

“Oh, it’s very nice,” she said. “They’re already doing a great job, and this will give them more space for more donations.”

The old building still will be used. Books, clothing, hardware and more can be found there. The plan is to add new doors, more sorting and storage space, and a children’s room.

There’s still work to be done around the new building. Paving the parking lot has to wait until spring, and volunteers need to get into the adjacent wetland and construction staging areas to remove invasive species and plant native flora.

About 60 volunteers regularly help out at the shop, usually about 10 each day. Robertson-Moore is looking for more.

“We kind of tripped over each other in the old building, but now I have space and I need more people,” she said.

The current crew of volunteers is dedicated, and stepped up to get everything done.

“It was a heck of a lot of work, and in the middle of December, everybody came and put in hours and hours,” Robertson-Moore said.

There is $50,000 left to raise, and the Floyd and Delores Jones Foundation has offered a $25,000 match for donations toward that goal, Robertson-Moore said.

Morgan Manyama, of Camano Island, loves the new space. She sometimes visits the thrift shop looking for small treasures, and last week found Seahawks figures she thought would make good Christmas gifts.

“I just love how new everything is. It just feels like a lot of space,” she said. “You can find great things in here.”

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Volunteers needed

To volunteer at 2nd Chance Thrift Shop, call 360-629-6142. Volunteers should be able to dedicate at least three hours a week, but are welcome to do more. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.