Reaching out to the community is something St. Mary’s Episcopal Church wants to do on more than just Sundays.
On Feb. 5, St. Mary’s will open a retail shop selling new and used items. The store will be located in the building that was previously home to the church office, 6849 Oak St.
"Our hope is to raise money for charities outside ourselves and in doing that fulfill our intent… to demonstrate to Milton that St Mary’s is a gracious place… and to show ourselves the joy of serving another in the name of our Savior,” Rev. Matt Dollhausen said.
Beginning hours for The Shoppe at St. Mary’s will be Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ann Odom, director of the General Board for The Shoppe, and Dollhausen have dreamed of opening a shop as a form of outreach for the church for over a year.
“We’ve seen other successful outreach retail shops,” Odom said.
The store will operate with the help of volunteers and all items have been donated. In turn, majority of funds raised through The Shoppe will be used to help the church’s outreach with local programs, such as Family Resource Center and Family Promise of Santa Rosa. Funds will also be used as support for St. Mary’s mission in Guatemala that clothes and feeds families and as financial support for the church.
“After working with (Family Resource Center and Family Promise of Santa Rosa) we realized that what they need most is financial support,” Odom said.
On the main floor of the shop there will be separate rooms for high quality items, household goods, children and plus sizes, men’s clothing and women’s clothing, Furniture will be located in the back.
Odom said one helpful piece of advice they’ve received from other outreach retail shops is to be selective with what they keep.
“If there are stains or holes in it, we won’t keep it,” she said.
However, The Shoppe does rely on donations, and would like for the community to keep them in mind when going through their homes for spring-cleaning.
A drop box has been placed along the side of the shop’s property on Santa Rosa Street.
Appointments to drop off larger items that won’t fit in the box can be made by calling Odom at 516-1775.
“This has been a dream of Father Matt’s and we’re really excited,” Odom said.
