BY MELISSA PYLE
Telegraph Staff Writer
Walk into the Rack Up Thrift Store on Madison Street and you will not only be pleasantly surprised by the boutique style shopping experience, but also by the purpose behind each purchase.
The Starke store is the third location of Rack Up. The original store is in Macclenny and the second in Steinhatchee, Florida.
Store manager Alexis McWhorter shared that the store’s concept was born from an idea owner Michele Hodges had after hearing about a financial need some missionaries were facing. They had to feed children in the poverty-stricken area they were serving, and Hodges realized a thrift store could easily raise enough funds to meet the need. The Macclenny location now creates enough revenue to fund veterans, schools and children.
McWhorter says the Starke store is currently using its proceeds to fund teacher’s grants for Bradford County Schools. Eventually, the store hopes to generate enough money to fund other local programs. The Rack Up Thrift Store says it has a simple, yet powerful mission: “To make a lasting, positive impact on our community.” By shopping at the store, shoppers can feel confident that they are participating in the good work Rack Up is doing.
The store resides in the old Sears building across from Winn-Dixie. There customers can “shop with a purpose” in a well-organized and friendly atmosphere.
Volunteers are also welcome and needed on a regular basis. If you’d like to see your gently used items recycled into life changing impact, the store accepts donations during business hours Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. You can also find more information about their mission and locations on their website, www.rackupthrift.com.
