The economics of thrift
Grand Opening of the Hanger and Witz End this Saturday

[March 03, 2018]   

LINCOLN

In part three of the Economics of Thrift series, the feature store is one that as of today is not yet open.

The Hanger and the Witz End Boutique are scheduled to celebrate their grand opening tomorrow (Saturday, March 3rd) starting at 9 a.m. and running to 3 p.m.

The Hanger and Witz End are located at 616 Broadway.

While in past articles, thrift managers have mentioned the number of locations in which they have operated, the notable comment about this story is the number of thrift businesses that have been operated in this location.

The store, was the location of the Witzig Department Store, which was in operation in the 1970’s. For many years, the location was also the home of Mission Mart, a thrift Store operated by Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington.

A few years ago, Mission Mart chose to relocate to a store front on Sangamon Street, and the store front on Broadway became the Simply Home Spun Craft Consignment Shop. After Home Spun closed, the space stood empty for a while.

In the meantime, Mission Mart on Sangamon St. closed, and the space was taken over by local ownership and re-named Old 2 New, again a second hand and thrift. Soon after, the store owners left the Sangamon Street location and returned to 616 Broadway.

Last month, Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois announced that it would be taking over the Broadway St. location and the business would be given a new name, and a new look. The Hanger will be a thrift store but with the added twist of the Witz End Boutique housed within.

Katie Dalpoas of CAPCIL noted in February that the name of the boutique – Witz End would be a nod to the former Witzig Department Store.

Dalpoas, who was at one time the manager of the New Beginnings Thrift Store on Sangamon Street has been working with DiAnne Turner who will manage the Hanger and Witz End to get the store set up and ready to open on Saturday.

Dalpoas is excited about the store and what it will offer saying that shoppers will find a gigantic assortment of used as well as new items priced reasonably for budget conscious shoppers.

Though the name insinuates the business is a clothing store, Dalpoas said that guests will find the variety that most thrift shoppers seek - housewares, furniture, and a lot of miscellaneous.

Dalpoas said shoppers will enjoy the bright clean trendy store and she is anxious to see how the community takes to the new look.

CAPCIL will be operating the store in a fundraising capacity. Profits from the store will go to Community Action, and that money will be used to continue providing critical services to the local senior population as well as low-income families in Logan County.

In addition, the store will be a work source for clients enrolled in the Food Pantry Cooperative program at CAPCIL. In that program, clientele earn shopping privileges at the CAPCIL food bank by logging hours of volunteer and community service.

The store will have three employees and the balance of the staff will be made up of volunteers.

And for the first time, this location will be open seven days a week. Store hours will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Speaking with Dalpoas in preparation for this article, she said the staff and volunteers are going to be working straight through this evening to get everything just perfect for the Grand Opening on Saturday. Therefore, there was no opportunity for a peek inside to offer readers a glimpse of what to expect, but Dalpoas thinks everyone will be pleased.

LDN will be at the grand opening on Saturday that will begin promptly at 9 a.m. with a ribbon cut. The community is invited and encouraged to come out Saturday, help celebrate during the ribbon cutting, then be among the first to shop inside the new store.

LDN will also bring additional coverage from the grand opening next week.

The Hanger will also be accepting donations of merchandise just as all other thrifts do. Donations are to be taken in through the back door of the business - in the alley between the store and the Lincoln Public Library and city parking lot.

The Hanger will be operating as a not-for-profit, so donations may be tax deductible.

[Nila Smith]