WAIF thrift store has record month

WAIF Freeland Thrift Shop registered its highest monthly sales in the past 10 years during October, store manager Mary Dickman said.

She attributed the store’s success to its new location, word of mouth, strategic pricing and the increase in quality donations.

“People have been very, very generous, giving us nice things to sell,” Dickman said. “We can only sell what comes in the door.”

All proceeds above operating expenses go to Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation facilities on Whidbey Island, she said. The Freeland store is staffed mostly by volunteers.

The nonprofit WAIF operates animal shelters under contract with Island County. It takes in surrendered and stray dogs and cats and puts them up for adoption.

Freeland Cat Adoption Center is one of two cats-only facilities operated by WAIF. The other is in Oak Harbor. WAIF, founded in 1990, also operates animal shelters in Oak Harbor and Coupeville.

Dickman said the state of the economy may be contributing to the thrift store’s success.

“We’re seeing a lot of new faces,” she said, “and we’ve received a number of beautiful, high-quality donations. We thank everybody for their support.”

The store accepts clean, salable items such as clothing, kitchenware, linen, furniture, electronics and crafts. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The store is at 1660 Roberta Ave. in Freeland. Its entrance is between Whidbey Island and Wells Fargo banks, “where we have a sandwich sign that keeps blowing over in the wind,” Dickman said.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 331-2818.

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