‘Friends’ Open Thrift Shop in Harrison

Visit the Friends Ministry Thrift Store at 155 N. Second St., Harrison from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Visit them on Facebook at @FriendsMinistryLC or see their ad on page 9. Weekly sales will be advertised here in the Cleaver.

155 N. Second Street
Harrison, mi 48625

The new thrift shop in the MacLean’s Mercantile building on Second Street in Harrison will have a much-anticipated opening March 17.

While new to Harrison, the Friends Ministry started in 1994. Harrison is their fourth store, and their 27 years of experience shows in the organization and tidiness of the shelves and the neat line of clothing, furniture, and housewares ready for sale.

Founders Larry and Suzanne Stahl are receiving a warm welcome to Harrison. Carol Leary, former owner of the building, was very helpful in pointing them to local resources, contractors, and recommending locals for management positions. The building has been painted, with new flooring in places. LED lights replace old lighting, and when I took a tour, fresh varnish was just put-on the new woodwork.

Fixtures and racking were purchased at JCPenney’s going-out-of-business sale in Mount Pleasant. New signage will be installed this week by Hogger's Custom Sign & Design. A small nook with tables, chairs and a coffee pot await anyone who needs a rest from shopping.

Larry Stahl speaks of their journey from a 30x30-foot store to where they are now.

“God has blessed us with people, He has blessed us with goods,” he said.

The Stahls have run the stores since they opened, except when they were out of the country doing mission work. 

“We think we do thrift stores well. People know when they donate to us it’s not going to end up in a landfill. What we can’t sell we do give a lot away, to fire situations or domestic situations. We work with school liaisons to get kids coats, boots, or clothes.”

Nothing is wasted, clothes that can’t be sold go to missions. The inventory in each store remains fresh with a system of rotation.

Donations are not currently accepted at the Harrison store but that may change in the future. Donations are currently accepted at the Lake City location during their open hours which are the same as Harrison’s store. Items are sorted and organized in a large 40x80-foot warehouse before distribution to their store locations.

Two store managers, hired locally, will run the store with volunteers to help organize, price items, and assist customers. Volunteers are needed and anyone interested may inquire in the store on March 15 and 16 for a volunteer application.