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Harvest Lane Treasures, which opened at the end of August in a building off Hwy. 14/61 down the road from the church, serves other purposes.
It supplies the community with low-priced clothes and goods, Martin said.
And it’s a way to bring the church community closer as they volunteer at the store, which is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
“Our society is overflowing with stuff,” said Martin, pastor of the church. “If people didn’t have an outlet like this, they would probably just put it out with their trash, and it would end up in a landfill.”
Martin estimated the store averages about $100 in sales each weekend.
And it’s just one of several new initiatives the church is operating out of the building it has owned since 1978.
The building at W4910 Harvest Lane had housed Washington Elementary School before the church bought it. For the past 30 years, the building has housed various day care centers, operated by the church or others who have rented the space.
Besides the new thrift store, the building, called Trinity Center, has exercise equipment in the basement that church members use and will function as a community center people can rent out for $50.
The church also rents half the first floor to Lynn Netwall, who operates One Spirit Life Coaching there.
Elaine Brudos, a member of the church for about a year, has been integral to making the thrift store go, Martin said.
Brudos said working with another volunteer and church member, she found out they grew up in the same area.
“It pulls members closer,” said 59-year-old Brudos.
Martin said the church hopes to open a food pantry in the new building this summer, which could partially by funded from thrift store sales.
And one day, she said, they might create a community garden in the yard.
Joe Orso can be reached at (608) 791-8429 or jorso@lacrossetribune.com.
