Construction of a new building for the Iola Senior Citizens Thrift Store is expected to begin within weeks.
Crews are already setting up a pad for the building, with a gravel base installed earlier this week. A crew with Yutzy Construction in Garnett will use rebar and concrete to finish the pad before work begins on the metal building. Work on the pad will take place over the next few weeks.
The building work is likely to begin in early March. The structure will be 30-feet by 40-feet and will alleviate crowding in the main building.
“We’re very excited. It’s getting closer,” board member and spokesperson Dimity Lowell said.
A door will be cut into the main building that lines up with the door to the addition, with a short walkway between them. The addition will feature garage doors to accept large donations such as furniture.
Crews also moved two small storage buildings to the west side of the lot. Even with the new building, storage remains a concern. A third shed is being sold.
THE THRIFT store is owned by the county.
Thrift store board members hoped the county would pay for an expansion and remodel, but commissioners were reluctant as cost estimates came in higher than expected. The structure of the main building, particularly the roof, makes it difficult to build onto the structure.
Board members then came up with their own solution. Using funds they’ve collected from sales, they realized they could buy a metal building. Because of building codes, it can’t be connected directly to the main structure.
Both the Senior Citizen Thrift Store at 223 N. State St. and the Senior Center congregate meal site at 204 N. Jefferson Ave. are owned by the county, although they are separate groups.
The Thrift Store group typically donates proceeds to other area organizations. However, in recent years they have kept those proceeds in order to build the addition.
LOWELL said the group also has seen evidence of attempted theft when part of the fence that surrounds the thrift store property was removed for construction.
She said someone apparently drove onto the property and attempted to steal equipment. Items were moved but nothing was stolen.
The incident has been reported to police.
