2/14/08
Second Chance Thrift Store moves to new building, donates to Animal Shelter
By Eric Goold

ERIC GOOLD/Manning Times

Second Chance Thrift Store Manager Lee Belding shows off one of the new dresses available at the store’s new location. Belding said the store has recently gotten in a stock of nice dresses, wedding dresses and ball gowns that are now available.

Shoppers and friends of the Clarendon County Animal Shelter, don’t fear. The Second Chance Consignment and Thrift Store didn’t leave town. It just moved.

The store was so popular at its old location on South Mill Street that owners and operators needed to expand.

The building across from the hospital next to the China Buffet was the perfect spot. On Jan. 2, the move was made.

“The last place was just too small,” said Store Manager Lee Belding last Friday afternoon. “We were getting so many items and so many shoppers that we needed a bigger place.”

The Thrift Store offers a wide variety of items for sale. There’s furniture, antiques, a wide variety of clothes for men, women and children and collectibles.

There are kitchen items, electric appliances and all sorts of knickknacks. It’s the kind of store where there’s something for everyone.

“We encourage shoppers just to come and browse. They’ll be sure to find something they like,” said Belding.

Just as before, all proceeds from sales go to support the Animal Shelter. None of the employees at the store are paid, and Belding estimated that over 55 volunteers help keep the place running.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers,” said Belding. “Anyone who is interested should contact us. We’re always looking for more hands.”

The new venue next to the China Buffet offers increased traffic and more exposure for the store.

“We love it here,” said Belding. “It’s the perfect size. If we get any bigger, we’ll have to get more people. There are a lot of people coming in and out of here during the day and we just love it. There’s also a large amount of donated items coming in.”

Something new customers might not know is that the store offers a variety of fine dresses, wedding gowns, prom dresses and ball gowns.

“That’s something they might not be able to find in most other stores,” said Belding.

Belding’s background as an interior designer and visual artist came in handy when she started working as store manager.

“Visual presentation is everything,” she said. “We want this place to look nice, sound nice and smell nice. The nicer it is, the better shopping experience you’ll have. We want this to be a wonderful little place for the people of Manning.”

Shoppers frequently comment on how much they like the store.

“They often tell us that this is their favorite store,” said Belding. “Sometimes we’ll see people come back twice in one day because they know we put out new merchandise twice a day.”

So much of the appeal and the reward for the volunteers is that all of their work goes to a good cause.

“It’s just as much for the animals as it is for the store,” said Belding. “The people are getting good bargains and the animals are getting what they need at the Shelter.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or just helping out at the store can contact Belding at 433-2323.