 We would like to congratulate Global Crafts, Inc. d.b.a. MCC Thrift Shop for being selected as the West Liberty Business Association’s December 2023 Business of the Month. They are also celebrating 40 years in business!
Global Crafts was established in 1983. That year the three local Mennonite churches came together and decided to open a thrift shop for the sole purpose of donating money to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). In the beginning, they also sold fair trade merchandise. This is how they acquired their giraffe and nativity. It is run by a board of directors that are appointed from those three local Mennonite Churches (Bethel, Oak Grove, and South Union). It originally was housed where The Flooring Gallery is presently located just north of town on S.R. 68. In 1985, the business was able to purchase their current location. They currently have 5 employees and 40 volunteers. Around 2010, they adapted their business model to better serve the communities needs by selling thrift only. MCC Thrift offers a great way for the community to repurpose their gently used, no longer needed items. When you shop at MCC Thrift Shop, you’ll find great deals, reduce waste, and support relief, development, and peace work around the world and at home. Their upstairs is a fantastic place to shop! They love trying to make their thrift shop look more like a boutique. And you might just meet your best friend or neighbor shopping, as well. They mentioned that one of their favorite things about owning a business in a small town is recognizing and knowing their customers. They love the sense of community that is found in West Liberty! Watch for their pop-up sales that they run almost weekly. The upstairs bag sale is open every day, they are open, year-round. Most months they offer a 50% off day! They also run colored tag item sales around the end of the month. MCC Thrift Shop is very involved in the community! They donate bags of items from upstairs to local residents through West Liberty Cares. They also donate locally to several schools and athletic programs as well as sponsoring many community activities. When asked what customers love the most about their business, they responded, “Our customers love our prices, bag sale, cleanliness, and organization. They also love our blind auctions. The customers enjoy talking about our residential giraffe and our unique Nativity.” Outside of store hours, they all enjoy taking care of their families along with their plethora of animals. Plus, they are always on the lookout for new ideas for the store! MCC Thrift Shop is located at 106 North Detroit Street in downtown West Liberty. Michelle Neer is the store manager. Their phone number is (937) 465-3077. Their store hours are Monday through Friday 110am-5pm and Saturdays 10 am -4 pm. Donations are accepted through the back entry to the business. As a network of 85 shops Mennonite Central Committee thrift shops raise millions of dollars each year for MCC projects around the world and in their local communities. When you donate, shop, and volunteer, your journey goes beyond transactions - every treasure with a history helps create a more hopeful future. When you support MCC thrift, you’re helping people in need locally and around the world! Every month Marie’s Candies allows the Business of the Month winner to come in and pick out their favorite candy. MCC Thrift Shop has chosen Milk Chocolate Tur'Kins. Make sure and stop in at Marie’s Candies to see if they are your favorite as well! There will be an award presentation held on Nov 29th at 10 am. Again, congratulations to MCC Thrift Shop! Written and submitted by: Brenda Snyder, WLBA Secretary |
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