By JESSIE SALISBURY

Correspondent

WILTON – For many years, members of the Second Congregational Church have held a monthly rummage sale in the Parish House. On May 9, they set up the last one.

If all goes as planned, in July the church will open a thrift shop in the Wilton Falls Building, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Chuck Crawford and Kimball Physics, owners of the building on Burns Hill Road. The shop, to be called “Second Glances,” will occupy two rooms on the lower level.

“We have been offered the space,” Pastor Regina Kinney said, “and we decided to take this leap of faith.”

The idea has been under discussion over the past year, how the church could expand a needed outreach. Similar programs in the area have been researched, Kinney said. “We are responding to what our patrons have told us.”

Work on the space can begin after June 1. The “soft target” for opening is in July with a grand opening in late August or early September.

Sale was popular

The rummage sale has been popular and patrons have said a more regular and more accessible site is needed.

The new shop is expected to be open three days each week, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

As with the current sale, the focus will be on clothing of all kinds. Other donated items, from dishes to curtains, books to toys, will be worked in.

With an adult church member present for insurance purposes, work at the store could provide needed service hours for high school students.

A lot of work has to be done and a number of items collected before the shop will happen and many things are needed.

The “wish list” includes clothes racks, lattice work for the walls, book shelves, dress form or mannequin, building materials such as lumber, plywood and plexiglass, and, of course, people to help build, make signs and posters, and then to staff the store.

For information, contact the church at 654-9045. Contact people are Loretta Smith, Staci Walsh, or Pastor Regina Kinney.