It is hard to go into the GraceWorks Thrift Store and come out empty handed.
Temptations abound at this well merchandised Franklin second-hand shop, which is known for its good quality, gently used merchandise, great prices and constant reminders that whatever you spend is helping the less fortunate in the Williamson County community.
The deals are always good here but on the second Saturday of each month, everything in the store is half price.
Everything – and that means ALL the merchandise in the store’s boutique, everything in the men’s, women’s and children’s sections and everything in the furniture and home goods warehouse next door.
Retail manager Lanette Loeb says the monthly special sale days are very popular with eager shoppers lining up and often making a beeline for coveted items they have spotted earlier in the week.
“On Super Saturday we have people lined up at each door to come in. We have counted as many as 60 or more in each line on these days. People will come on the Friday before to scope things out and see what may be available the next day.
“Our second busiest sale day is our “Senior Day.” We have seniors lined up at both doors on that day as well. We’ve had probably up to about 20 or so in line on those days.
Our other days we don’t usually have a line,” Loeb said.
Loeb said the half-price days help clear out inventory so her staff and volunteers can continue restocking with new, fresh items. She said about 20 percent of the donated items that come in are brand new.
“We try to put out new merchandise daily. How much goes out depends on how many volunteers we have that day. We are always looking for new volunteers to come alongside us and help us achieve our mission of ‘Neighbor serving Neighbor by the power of God’s grace.’
“The thrift store is definitely an important and well-known part of our ministry,” said GraceWorks CEO Valencia Breckenridge who said the shop generates about $1.2 million a year for the various missions of GraceWorks, which include an active food pantry, rent and utility assistance, medical support and disaster relief and other help for the needy.
In addition to the food and home help, GraceWorks provides mentoring programs, financial guidance and various support for families and individuals.
“If items are ready and we are able, we also put out new merchandise on our half off day now. The week after (Super Saturday) is still good for shopping as the Boutique has new markdowns and we are working on restocking the floor. Mondays are a little light, but the rest of the week is good,” she said.
What you should know:
• Graceworks is located at Southeast Parkway
• Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• The second Saturday of each month is Super Saturday offering half price everything in the shop.
• Other days have deals too:
Monday is military day with 30 percent off for past and present military and their spouses.ID required;
Tuesday is 30 percent off antiques and collectibles;
Wednesday is 30 percent off for government workers and their spouses, including police, emergency, workers, teachers, government employees;
Thursday is senior day with 30 percent of for seniors 55 and older;
Friday is 30 percent off for students, high school and up, with ID.
• Sign up for the loyalty program to earn points that translate into savings. You get 1,000 points right away which equals $10 and then you accrue five points for every dollar spent. Once you reach 500 points, you get $5 off your purchase. Know that the shop does not redeem points on Super Saturday but you can accrue points that day.
• The store accepts donations 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will schedule pickups for large furniture items. For information on this call 615-794-9055 ext. 5 or go to graceworksministries.net, under the Thrift Store tab click on “Donations & Pickups” and click the link to schedule online
• The shop has paid staff but also benefits from the work of several dozen volunteers who do intake, pricing, processing, checkout and creatively merchandising the store. If you want to volunteer, go to graceworksministries.net and look under the “Volunteers” tab for more information or to fill out a volunteer application.
• Proceeds from the shop support the ministries of GraceWorks which include an active food pantry, rent and utility help for the needy, and other programs.
• Last fiscal year, the shop generated $1.2 million for GraceWorks, which reports that 89 cents of each dollar raised goes to programming.
Mary Hance, who has four decades of journalism experience in the Nashville area, writes a weekly Ms. Cheap column. She also appears on Thursdays on Talk of the Town on NewsChannel5. Reach her at mscheap@mainstreetmediatn.com and follow her on Facebook as Facebook.com/mscheap
