Construction crews lend a hand with thrift store renovation

The Soroptimist Thrift Haus was a flurry of activity last week as a construction crew took out windows, pulled out ceiling tiles and removed old bushes for the store’s “Blitz Build.”

Janice Pierce teared up as she stood on the sidewalk watching the workers. She apologized for getting emotional, but it was a big day for the Soroptimist Club of Whitefish and its store.

“This is awesome,” she said. “This is so cool to see other people volunteering.”

Pierce is the volunteer manager of the Thrift Haus. An all-volunteer workforce of Soroptimist members operate the Thrift Haus and use the proceeds of the store to donate to area nonprofit groups.

“Nobody gets paid,” she said of her fellow Soroptimists. “A lot of people don’t know that.”

So when a group of contractors came to assist with the store’s remodel, Pierce couldn’t help but feel as though someone had noticed all the club’s hard work. Last year the Soroptimists gave more than $120,000 to other groups.

Travis Denman of Denman Construction noticed and he wanted to do something for the Soroptimists. He previously visited the store and discovered just how much the women do in such a little space. He witnessed 30 people squeezing down a narrow hallway to move merchandise out of the store.

“They do a ton for the community and we wanted to do something for them,” he said. “I realized this store needs a little work and it could be a better experience.”

Denman designed the remodel seeking to bring more natural light into the building and create a pleasing shopping space. Plans include creating bike racks and a place to park strollers in the front the store. The store will have an expanded storage area for sorting its donations. New windows and flooring also were being installed.

Soroptimist member Janice McCann also stood and the corner of Lupfer and First Street last week watching the work. She coordinated the project for the club.

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” she said.

McCann thanked all the local businesses who donated supplies and the contractors who donated services to make the remodel possible.

Soroptimist members were busy Monday afternoon restocking shelves. Fifteen Whitefish teenagers volunteered by unloading the merchandise that had been put in storage during the remodel.

The Thrift Haus was expected to reopen today.