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Expanded thrift shop opens at Fallbrook Senior Center

FALLBROOK – One of Fallbrook’s oldest thrift shops recently experienced a massive growth spurt.

Thanks to county grant funds and available floor space, the thrift shop operated by the Fallbrook Senior Citizens Center has roughly tripled in size. The expansion has been accompanied by an outpouring of donated items that have filled it to the brim.

“We’ve received a lot of very generous donations from the community of Fallbrook,” said Virginia Cooke, the center’s executive director. And the community has responded enthusiastically to the shop’s new look and offerings, said Cooke and other officials.

“We opened (last) Monday and we did fabulous,” said Va Lora, the thrift shop’s volunteer manager. “I’m bringing in a truckload of merchandise a day, which is nice.”

The thrift shop will also deliver bulky items, and the manager and her helpers recently delivered a big-screen TV that was sold shortly after it was donated. About 10 volunteers run the thrift shop, which is open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The nonprofit organization has operated a thrift shop since the 1980s. But the shop was one of the community’s smallest for many years. It is now large enough to house separate merchandising sections that feature furniture, vintage items, adult clothing, books, collectables and children’s clothes, games and toys.

Floor space became available for the expansion after a senior center food distribution program ended. The service was discontinued after a grocery store that supplied commodities changed its policies.

The expansion-related renovations were funded through a San Diego County Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant. The thrift shop work cost about $8,000. The remainder of the $30,000 grant, which was awarded by county Supervisor Bill Horn, was spent on senior center restroom renovations and other repair work.

The center is located at 399 Heald Lane in Fallbrook. The club’s approximately 540 members each pay $15 a year to belong. Club membership is open to residents of Fallbrook, Bonsall and Rainbow who are age 55 or above. The nonprofit club, which was established in 1974, operates a popular center where activities, classes, games and other services are offered. The thrift shop provides some of the club’s operating funds.

The club is also the designated agency that provides low-cost senior meals in the area. About 10,000 lunches are served each year on a five-day a week basis at the Fallbrook Community center. Another 14,000 lunches are delivered each year to homebound seniors.

More information about the center and the thrift shop is available by calling (760) 728-4498 or visiting

http://www.fallbrookseniorcenter.com.

 

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