Downtown Rescue Mission’s Thrift Store in Madison nears completion

MADISON – Bargain-minded shoppers who like a good deal while helping people in need will enjoy a new facility about to re-open in Madison.

Downtown Rescue Mission is building a new Thrift Store at 101 Plaza Blvd. in Madison. The mission’s headquarters are in Huntsville.

“The board and staff decided to build a new store in Madison because our old Madison store location was no longer going to be available. The new owners of that location wanted to use the space for their church,” Keith Overholt, President/CEO of Downtown Rescue Mission, said. The current location, known as Miller Plaza to longtime residents, is on Old Madison Pike near Shelton Road.

“The Madison community has been very supportive of the Downtown Rescue Mission and that thrift store location,” Overholt said. “We felt it was imperative to continue a store location in Madison because of the community’s support and the funding that is generated by that store to help operate the ministries at the mission.”

The mission’s staff completed a thorough 18-month search in Madison. However, they could not locate an existing building to lease or buy. They then decided to purchase land and build a new store.

The new store will have 16,000 square feet, compared to 12,000 square feet in the old location.

“The new store will have more square footage on both our sales floor and in the production/warehouse area that will allow us to provide more products and better serve our customers,” Overholt said. “A designated donation drive-through area will give our donors a better experience as they donate to the store. The location is in a better, more convenient area of Madison and will be much more easily accessible.”

The store will employ 15-plus people.

Shoppers will find both new and used clothing, housewares and furniture. “The new furniture is the Ashley line of products. We also have antiques and other odds-and-ends,” Overholt said. “We tell people, ‘When you shop our store, you never know what you might find.’”

Construction should be complete in February.

“The board and staff of the mission are excited about having the opportunity to better serve the City of Madison with this newly constructed store. We have had eight thrift stores throughout North Alabama, but this will be our first brand new store,” Overholt said.

“Being able to construct the store from the ground up, we will be able to provide a clean, friendly and modern thrift store experience for both the shopper and donor. We are looking forward to better serving the Madison community,” Overholt said.

All proceeds from the store go directly back to the mission to provide food, clothing, shelter and Christian education to anyone who needs it.

Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 1-855-DRM-SAVE (1-855-376-7283) or visit downtownrescuemission.org or Facebook/DRM Thrift Store Madison.