New Salvation Army store to open in Lynchburg

By Annie McCallum

Published: August 14, 2008

The Salvation Army opens a new Family Store in Lynchburg today intended to more effectively serve clients and the general public.

“I took this job because I wanted a position where I was helping people,” said Steve Miller, the store’s manager, Wednesday as he readied the store for its opening.

Miller has been working diligently since February to get the store off the ground. He’s unpacked donations, set up cash registers and built shelves.

The store, on the corner of Park Avenue and Stuart Street across from Miller Park, is adjacent to the Salvation Army’s offices housing its Family Services program.

Officials expect the location to add greater ease to families seeking services. For example, Salvation Army officials can issue a voucher to families in need and they can go directly to the store.

“We think of this store as serving a specific need,” said Chesley Vohden, Salvation Army development director.

Some families, she said, might have only the clothes on their back or may not have a lot to spend on clothing and appliances — now there’s another option in Lynchburg.

Previously, Vohden said, the closest Salvation Army Family Store was in Appomattox, almost 45 minutes away.

“I doubt people from here drive to the Appomattox store,” she said while walking through the store Wednesday.

The Lynchburg location features plenty to choose from. Racks of second-hand clothes line the store. There are also appliances and household items, and even a room full of books and videos, which store officials hope will be an area for children to play while parents shop.

Looking through donations in the back of the store, Vohden said there was still work to do before today’s opening.

“We are continuously taking donations,” she said.

Store employees said they still need children’s toys, boys’ clothes, men’s clothes and infants’ clothes.