Salvation Army store opens in new location

The Salvation Army's new location on Illinois St. offers more space and easier accessibility.

"It's not so congested," said Lori Borchert, Salvation Army board member.

The Salvation Army's old store was located at 932 10th Ave. but the store moved at the end of last month to its new location in the old roller rink building next to Safeway at 2032 Illinois St.

"I think it's great," said Steffen Kadie, chairman of the Sidney Salvation Army board.

Space-wise, the store is 50 percent bigger, Kadie added. The store's layout, with everything on one level makes navigation much easier for elderly customers who had difficulty with the stairs in the old store.

The new location also features better access and lighting, Kadie and Borchert agreed.

The store workers, along with community volunteers, moved the store's contents on April 28. The store was closed for the following week, but re-opened at its new location on May 5.

"We've had really good comments on the store," said store manager Diane Nielsen.

The Salvation Army kicked off its grand opening Monday with free cake for customers. The celebration will continue for the entirety of this week with clothing sales. Now, employees and those dropping off furniture can bring items into the store through the back doors and don't have to use the elevator that they had to employ at the previous store.

"They can pull right up to the door instead of halfway across the parking lot," Nielsen said.

The decision to move the store was a collective one. Last month Keep Sidney Beautiful awarded Preferred Roofing & Excavation, LLC owner Travis Arellano with its community beautification award for transforming the building that now houses the Salvation Army into a storefront suitable for retail use.

Arellano purchased the building in August 2012.

"A lot of the people were really having a hard time getting up and down the stairs at our old location," Nielsen said. "So this worked out just wonderfully for us."

Parking is available in front of the store as well as in back.

There is no sign on the outside of the building just yet, but it should arrive this week, to be visible to those driving from both directions.

"I think it will go really well," Nielsen said.

All of the additional space in the new store will allow the Salvation Army to keep seasonal items as well as summer and winter clothing on the shelves year round.

"There's always people coming in and wanting sweatpants and we usually pack them away," Borchert said.

Customer Dorothy Bennett described the Salvation Army as her favorite store.

"I love it," Bennett said of the new location. "It's nice and roomy, more space. You don't have to go down those rickety stairs."

The Salvation Army is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

"We're happy," Nielsen said of the new store.