TurnStyles Thrift store opens fourth location in Overland Park
For about a month, volunteers and employees have been getting a new thrift store ready for its opening day.
Clothes in various sizes and colors were hung on rows of racks. A collection of bags and belts were hung on the wall, next to stocked shoe racks. Home decor, from picture frames to candleholders to baskets, were organized toward the back.
The work led up to Thursday, when TurnStyles Thrift opened its fourth location at 12065 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park.
“We have an opportunity to serve the community, give them a place to shop, give them a place to bring their donations,” said Keisha Gracius, the senior director of social enterprise operations at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, which runs the local thrift store chain.
While the shop on Metcalf Avenue may be new, TurnStyles has been operating in northeast Kansas for over 20 years — and it’s not new to Overland Park, either. It has two other locations in the suburb, in addition to its store in Mission.
Still, Gracius said the store will reach a new audience and hopes the business attracts new volunteers, employees and donations, including clothes, bags and furniture. At least one person walked up to the front doors to check it out a couple days before opening.
TurnStyles’ regular hours are weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Proceeds from the five locations help support the over 25 programs offered by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, including food distribution, transitional living programs and immigration services.
The thrift store particularly supports Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas food programs, Gracius said. If a customer chooses to round up their total, she said, that money goes specifically toward initiatives like the organization’s food pantries.
“We’re offering our community help, hope and hospitality,” Gracius said. “So, that drives me every day, knowing that at the end of the day, whatever work I do, there’s a greater purpose for that.”