Volunteers Terry Fisher and Suzanne Ivester at the store’s new check-out counter.
Earlier this month, Second Chance expanded its space in the 8 Flags Shopping Center on South 14th Street. The bigger store now has a wider selection of clothing and furniture, among many other new and gently used items. “We now have a 'boutique' area that includes an expanded men’s section as well as a larger selection of accessories and jewelry,” co- manager Trish Sorum says happily.
“More space means we can display even more of the wonderful merchandise that we get in every day,” adds co-manager Mindy Williams.
Community support for the store has exceeded all expectations since it opened in a space on South 8th Street less than two years ago. All profits benefit the homeless animals at the NHS shelter on Airport Road. Second Chance moved to the 8 Flags center this past January, and now has expanded its square footage there from about 3,000 to more than 5,000.
Second Chance depends entirely on donations of new and gently used merchandise from the community. Besides NHS employees Sorum, Williams and Donation Pickup Coordinator Lea Leopold, the store is staffed solely by a growing number of dedicated volunteers. With that combination, the store can keep its prices low and still generate significant income for the Humane Society.
“We’re not a thrift store, we’re a resale store,” Sorum says. “People have been incredibly supportive, and we couldn’t do it without them,” she says. “They’re not giving us their trash, they’re giving us their treasures,” including collectibles and such items as Baccarat and Steuben glass. "Even a 125-year-old desk, made from an organ, that was brought down from an estate in Waycross just for us," and is being offered as a silent auction item at the store. The silent auction ends Dec. 2.
Says Williams, “During the expansion process, several customers asked me if we would have enough items to fill the new space. I think we’ve adequately answered that question!”
Sorum says the store will continue its emphasis on quality merchandise at low prices. She said the staff researches prices online, at sites such as eBay, and makes sure that Second Chance’s prices are below what sellers are getting for their items.
“You can get great deals here,” she says, "especially on unique and collectible items."
On some days, you can also meet adoptable pets from the NHS shelter.
Elizabeth Layman, co-president of Nassau Humane Society, says Second Chance was the vision of volunteer Penny Landregan, “who along with her amazing staff and volunteers, have created a source of continued support for NHS to rescue and save hundreds of homeless animals every year.
NHS recently broke ground on its long-needed new animal care shelter. “As we increase our space to rescue more and more animals, we also increase our costs," Layman says. The future is more secure because of our generous donors and supporters who share our vision. And also because of the amazing work of the staff and volunteers at Second Chance, and the generosity of the community that keeps those quality, donated goods coming in to be resold at our store.”
"I am truly thankful that Second Chance has become such a hit in our community," Landregan says. "Thanks to our donors, customers and especially our volunteers for making it a dream come true for me."