Whispers of Hope has found a new location for its thrift store ahead of the deadline to leave its Riverside Drive space at the end of March.
Whispers of Hope coordinator Melissa Shulga confirmed the thrift store will be moving to 7461 Third St. Shulga said that will not be the location of the community kitchen - while they have a separate location in mind, Shulga declined to say where until the arrangements were finalized.
Shulga said she and the board are feeling positive about the location. While she acknowledged the cost of operating two spaces - one for the store and one for the kitchen – would be higher, they are hopeful that the increased foot traffic and awareness of the store will offset the difference.
She also said it would allow the association to “tailor the experience” in each location to the clientele.
“We are hopeful it will be better for both [the kitchen and the thrift store],” she said. “We can focus on the service for each.”
Shulga said she and the board of Whispers of Hope were appreciative to the community for their support as the association navigates this move.
The thrift store will be closing in its current location on March 19, and Shulga said the ensuing two weeks would be the big push to move before the city-mandated deadline of March 31.
They are aiming to have a grand opening in their new thrift store space on April 3.