T-R PHOTO BY TREVOR BABCOCK Volunteers and managers outside of the new Second Chance Thrift Store building planning to be open for business in October. (From left to right: Founder Roger Hatch, volunteer Sue Hughes, volunteer Jane Smith, co-manager Susanna Paul, volunteer Bill Mohr and co-manager Cindy Krull.)

A community resource for anyone in need is on the way back to business in the downtown area.

The Second Chance Thrift Store, 230 South Third Ave., is rebuilding with hopes to be open by early October.

The store’s original building had been in Marshalltown since 1880 and served the thrift store for about 15 years. While surviving the 2018 tornado, the 2020 derecho rendered the thrift store unsafe. The storm caused significant damage, tearing off the building’s roof, blowing out windows and causing water damage to most of their products.

The rebuild is more than halfway funded, with the thrift store welcoming donations to finish paying for construction.

The new building gives 10,000 square feet of additional space, with a more open layout and brighter lighting. Once open, the store will change their operating hours to six days a week instead of two and a half days. The store’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday plus 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Co-manager Susanna Paul said she’s most looking forward to opening again.

“I’m looking forward to just the relationships and the people,” Paul said. “Just a chance to share with them, be with them and help them.”

While the thrift store gives gently used items a second chance locally, the business has a mission to give globally. It was originally opened to give a source of funds to Jonathan’s House of Orphans in Sierra Leone, Africa. More than 40 children younger than 18 are housed at the orphanage, which provides them with clothing, food and schooling. All profits made through the store are sent to the orphanage.

“It’s a three-way mission,” thrift store volunteer Sue Hughes said. “It’s for the orphanage, for the community and for the volunteers. It’s such a place that you can share and grow and become a family.”

Despite being closed since the derecho, the store has still been sending money to the orphanage. Co-manager Cindy Krull said people have been asking about the store’s return and writing checks to donate directly to the orphanage.

“We were humbled. It’s very amazing,” Krull said.

Volunteer Jane Smith has been telling her friends to save their items they wish to donate, assuring them the store will eventually be open. While closed, volunteers kept in contact with customers, meeting them at the store to give them items when they were needed.

At a local level, the store takes donated household items, kitchenware, tools, furniture and clothing to sell at low prices so nobody has to go without something they need, Krull said. The store runs primarily on a volunteer basis.

Paul said she sees the store’s role in the community as being people who care.

“Some people just don’t,” Paul said. “They’re going through life and don’t have anyone that cares. We want to fill that spot. If somebody walks in the door, we want them to feel that love and that support they need.”

To donate or volunteer, co-managers Paul and Krull are available by phone at 641-750-3959 and 641-750-3110 respectively.

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Contact Trevor Babcock at 641-753-6611 or

tbabcock@timesrepublican.com.