In February of 2021, the Faith Builders administrative team proposed the idea of a retail store as a way to subsidize the school in the event that EITC scholarships were no longer an option. While the scholarship program is fully functioning and greatly appreciated, another source of income was deemed important for the future viability of the school.

A committee was formed to investigate potential options for a store – including a thrift store. This committee proposed policies that would guide the effort, and research where the thrift store should be located and the kind of people needed to make it thrive. This work was presented to the Faith Builders Board of Directors in Feb. 2023.

The board accepted the recommendation of starting a thrift store if two conditions could be met: a viable property preferably in the Home Depot/Wal-Mart corridor of Vernon Township that included a minimum 10,000 ft2 building and a capable manager willing to sign a three-year contract. The committee assumed it would take a number of years for the required conditions to be met.

However, in the summer of 2023 (just 6 months later!) we became aware of a potential building (the former Homewood Furniture) with 20,000 ft2 of retail space which was located in the precise corridor we hoped for. The store owner offered the building at a very reasonable price. This seemed too good to be true! And yet, there was one significant hurdle remaining: a capable management team.

At the next committee meeting, each team member brought a list of potential candidates for managing the store. None of the candidates on the lists that were brought seemed like viable possibilities. But, Carl Wengerd mentioned that his wife offhandedly told him to put their names on the list. The committee asked if they would consider this possibility. Carl & Amy agreed to consider. To manage the store would require Carl to sell C & A Appliance Repair – his business of 17 years.

The committee realized how well-suited Carl & Amy would be for starting up this new venture. Soon, Carls agreed to the position, if the board would approve the establishment of the thrift store.

The board agreed that God was at work and that the conditions for starting a thrift store were met. And in November 2023, papers were signed to purchase the property.

In June 2024, we took possession of the property and began renovating the building. The committee, Carl & Amy, several employees, and many generous volunteers have been working hard to prepare for the store opening this fall.

The grand opening is took place on November 15 & 16, 2024.

We see the hand of God in the vision and establishment of Generations Thrift. Without the generous support of our community, this venture would be impossible. We’re grateful to our community for their wide-spread support through funding, donations of goods, and plans to shop at Generations Thrift.