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Photo by HAYLEE JAMES.
Potter's House: Local Thrift Store Benefits Community
FHS student author Bev Woessner is a reporter for Register.
Temperatures are dropping and the holiday music fills the radio. ‘Tis the season to purchase a tacky Christmas sweater, right? The place to search for one is Potter’s House Thrift on College Avenue.
Potter’s House Thrift is a second-hand store that provides affordable and quality items, ranging from the tacky Christmas sweater to a couch for the living room. The thrift store is a part of the Potter’s House Ministry for local church New Heights. Potter’s House Ministry focuses on providing hope and a future for families in Fayetteville, according to www.pottershousethrift.com/pottershouse.
Potter’s House Thrift complements other organizations in Fayetteville that focus on supporting families. Salvation Army manages a thrift store as well as aiding the homeless population in town. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for families that struggle for a consistent place to live, and the organization runs a second hand store called Re-Store. Another business that helps support Fayetteville families is Goodwill, which also has a thrift store.
But what makes Potter’s House Thrift different?
This particular store is a local organization, whereas the other groups are all national. The national organizations differ in that they have specific rules and regulations to follow in the business side. Since Potter’s House is local, they do not have as many restrictions to follow, according to Potter’s House employee Sydney Duerr.
“They do great things for the community and offer affordable items for families,” English teacher Michelle Fyfe said.
“It definitely benefits our community,” senior Mikayla Ogle said. “It provides items at a price that those who are less fortunate can purchase.”
Potter’s House Ministry offers students a chance to help out. High school students can aid in various ways from volunteering time in the store to being a tutor, or by simply donating some clothes.
Senior Payton McCloud has volunteered there.
“It’s a benefit for the community because of people that don’t have enough money to buy clothing and furniture from regular stores,” McCloud said.
To donate, simply drop off donations at the store during business hours, or call and Potter’s House can pick up from private resources. Visit www.pottershousethrift.com/donate for guidelines on what can and cannot be donated.
“I donate regularly to the Potter’s House and am a fan of how it does a great job of getting useful things from people who don’t need them into the hands of people who do need them,” English teacher Todd Ballinger said.
The thrift store is also a place many find their treasures.
“I love Potter’s House, and I go in there to look for treasures,” Fyfe said.
These gems can range from the special tacky Christmas sweater to a new desk.
“I bought some shorts for 98 cents,” sophomore Rachel Pohl said.