The hanger enjoys a big grand opening day

[March 05, 2018]   

LINCOLN

On Saturday morning crowds flocked to the new thrift store on Broadway Street in Lincoln, anxiously waiting outside for the doors to open at 9 a.m. Immediately following a quick ribbon cut, the doors were opened and everyone came in anxious to see what the new floor plan would look like and what treasures would be found inside.

The Hanger and the Witz End Boutique officially opened for business after a quick remodel of the store formerly known as Old 2 New. The new store, now under the operation of the Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois certainly offers a new look compared to the former business.

For those who are accustomed to the former store, the Hanger is certainly different, and not in a bad way. The store appears more open and brighter. Clothing is grouped on the left hand walking into the store, and novelty items and collectibles are interspersed the length of the store more or less all gathered on the right hand side.

The Witz End Boutique is a newly partitioned area at the front of the store, and shopping opportunities include clothing, purses, and collectibles, and yes, one can shop the items on display in the front window.

On Saturday the building was filled with staff and volunteers, including several members of the CAPCIL Board of Directors on hand to assist shoppers and to make everyone feel welcome.

Also on hand for the morning were the crew from WLCN Radio who were doing a live feed at the store, interspersing their regular programing with brief chats with CAPCIL staff and others.

A large pot of coffee, bottled water, and a big, big variety of sweets were set up for guests to enjoy as they shopped, and the early arrivals, the first 10 or so through the door at 9 a.m. received gifts from the Hanger including Hanger shopping bags.

Before unlocking the doors for the first time, CAPCIL Executive Director Alison Rumler-Gomez spoke briefly to the group of staff, board members, and volunteers about how excited she was to see this day come, and thanked all for their work and support of this new CAPCIL venture.

Following her comments, everyone went outside for a quick ribbon cutting ceremony, then the doors were opened and the shoppers were welcomed inside. Folks scattered quickly, looking for particular parts of the store that would hold the items of their personal interest.

One very big attention getter in the store was a motion sensor activated horse. The size of a miniature horse or a colt, the animal drew a lot of attention from kids and adults. As people passed by, the horse would turn its head, wiggle its ears, and blink its eyes. Many a grown-up was taken in by the horse, along with a number of children.

Along with being a fundraising venture for CAPCIL, the store is going to be a work opportunity for those who are participating in the Food Pantry Cooperative program at CAPCIL. In that program, those wishing to shop at the food pantry need to log hours of volunteer service in Community Action programs. Volunteering at the store will qualify as hours of service.

Because of this, the store also includes the “Dignity Isle” Food Pantry Coop room. The hallway sized room features shelves filled with food items. Volunteers can earn shopping privelges at the store, then go right to the pantry and select the items they need to take home for their personal pantries.

Throughout March and April, CAPCIL is holding a special “Food-a-Palooza food drive at the store. Shoppers may bring in a bag of non-perishable food items (at minimum of five pieces per bag) and enter to win an elegant evening out and overnight stay package that includes dinner at Guzzardo’s and luxury accommodations at a local motel. The drawing will be held on May first, with the prize estimated to have a value of $500.

Another big draw on Saturday was the change to win a Porsche! On display outside the store was the bright red little car, purchased for a special price from Lincoln Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. The car was being sold in a raffle with only 100 tickets to be sold at $100 each. The profits from the raffle will all go to CAPCIL programs.

Congratulations to CAPCIL on a successful grand opening. It looks like downtown Lincoln has yet another winner when it comes to unique shops and outstanding shopping opportunities.

[Nila Smith]