Heart and Hands Thrift Shop to reopen next month, just around the corner from original space

MEREDITH — The Heart and Hands Thrift Shop plans to reopen next month, and, as it turns out, its new home won’t be far from its previous location on Maple Street.

The new address for the popular store is only one numeral off from the previous one. The shop's new location is 8 Maple St., Unit 3, on the other side of the building, next to the veterinarian office.

“It turns out we’re moving into the same building,” said Tom Witham, president of the board of directors for the nonprofit shop, which opened in 2016.

He said when the organization had to vacate its previous space in mid-July, leaders knew the neighboring space, unit 3, would be available in August, but had concerns about parking. They also hoped to find a space larger than the 2,400 square feet they had previously.

“We looked at many properties,” Witham said. “We determined one, there just isn’t anything out there, and two, we need to get back into business.”

The plan then became to turn challenges into benefits. The parking lot on the other side of the building becomes crowded when the adjacent scenic railroad is busy, and board members of Heart and Hands worried the walk from the back parking lot could be difficult for customers, many of whom use walkers or canes.

To rule accessibility out as a problem, the shop’s leaders will offer two handicapped spots in front of the building, and will build a staircase up to store level from the back side of the building. Shoppers can climb up, then cross a new balcony, which will wrap around the side closest to Daniel Webster Highway; this walkway leads to the new shop’s front door.

Renovations are also ongoing inside the building to create an open-concept space with improved workflow for shoppers and volunteers.

“It’s going to be pretty spectacular,” Witham said. “We’re trying to make it as accessible as possible for everybody.”

The heart and hands of Jesus

Witham was a key organizer of the thrift shop, helping to launch it nearly 10 years ago, after the popular Meredith Thrift Store closed.

Three churches came together to run Heart and Hands — St. Charles Catholic Church, First Congregational Church of Meredith and Trinity Episcopal Church — and each appointed three volunteers to sit on a board of directors, which Witham now leads.

The mission of the shop is to offer pre-used items at under-market prices, and share proceeds with area nonprofits.

Since it launched, Heart and Hands has donated $795,000 to over 100 organizations across the Lakes Region, and has 50 volunteers, who feel compelled and empowered by the mission to be the heart and hands of Jesus through the sale of affordable items, and to invest all profits back into local charities.

Nonprofit organizations apply to Heart and Hands for funding. Six get a grant every quarter, without needing to reapply: Hands Across the Table, Isaiah 61 Café, Center Harbor Soup Kitchen, Meredith Food Pantry, Lakes Region Caregivers, and New Beginnings — Without Violence and Abuse.

Volunteers of the shop are discerning in what donated items they keep. Clothing must be free of stains or tears, and other treasures must be in good condition. The quality and affordable prices drive swift sales, which keeps inventory moving through the shop; there are often new goods on the shelves.

Angel funder supports renovations

Extensive renovations inside the new space — including painting, and removal of old carpeting and installation of a faux hardwood floor — was made possible by angel funders Sharon and Paul Steinwachs of Moultonborough, whose family foundation supports initiatives across the Lakes Region.

Witham said the Steinwachs are customers of Heart and Hands and support the model; they contacted him some time ago to offer financial support and have become major donors.

“Without their help, we would not have been able to do everything that we did. They were a major, major help.”

The cost of the work has exceeded $50,000, and includes some construction costs for the walkway; a portion of that improvement is also being funded by the landlord.

The interim plan and new workflow

When the thrift store moved out of its previous Maple Street space, leaders rented a handful of storage spaces for inventory. They also stopped collecting donations from the public, but continued to take items from two women who have a business helping people move by cleaning out their homes and organizing their belongings. They are a valued partner for Heart and Hands, and they dropped off items earmarked for the thrift shop into a rental unit designated just for them.

Witham said volunteers then sort through the items, putting those they wanted to keep into another storage unit, and discarding the rest. That way, one storage unit was always empty for new deposits.

Once the store opens, one big change expected to be appreciated by shoppers and donors alike is that customers will enter the front door and turn right into the sales space, while donors will turn left into the sorting area, rather than everyone entering through one door.

“That should be a big improvement,” Witham said. “There was always a bottleneck with people coming and going.”

Two parking spots in front of the new location will be designated for donors, so they can easily drop off items.

Moving back in, opening up shop

The next phase in the reopening for Heart and Hands is moving inventory in and setting it up. Witham said the hope is to open the doors on Thursday, Dec. 4. “We’re going to make every effort to do that,” he said, noting the latest projected opening date is Thursday, Dec. 11.

Witham said volunteers are learning what the biggest challenge of reopening will, be as many community members tell them, “I have a garage full of stuff for you.”

The plan is to accept mainly clothing initially, because clothing was not saved and stored, so it will be a sought-after item as the shop relaunches.

Roughly 300 to 400 customers and others loyal to Heart and Hands have been getting news and updates since the store closed, and Witham said volunteers have been meeting socially to remain connected and, as he put it, “not break the spirit.”

“They can’t wait to get back to work,” he added. “They’ll be glad to see their customers again, and to [live once again into] the mission of giving away money to nonprofits.”

Once reopened, Heart and Hands Thrift Store hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit heartandhandsthriftshop.com.