OPPORTUNITY SHOP

DUBOIS, WYOMING

The St. Thomas parish has opened a thrift store known as the Opportunity Shop.  In the former, renovated Texaco/Shell gas station quality used clothing and house wares are sold. The store is in the center of town, right next door to the church.  Paid staff and volunteers keep the five day a week, 8 hours a day (Winter hours may vary) store open and sort and price the donated goods. The renovation has created a light and airy space, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, two of which are paid, has made this a busy part of town for residents and visitors alike. The many donations and volunteer work offered by the community members give this shop a real sense of Community ownership.

It is hoped that the church may eventually find the funds to remove the underground gas tanks so that a simple addition may be added to accept donations of furniture and larger items.

The concept for this store grew out of St. Thomas Episcopal Church Women's (ECW) long tradition of having an annual Opportunity Sale, during which donations of used clothing and household goods were sold at greatly reduced prices to the community. The once-a-year volume made it necessary to use the Headwaters Arts and Conference Center's space. Residents from throughout the Community volunteered their time to make this huge event happen. The new Opportunity Shop continues this activity, but stays open year round to serve the community by providing quality used merchandise to local people, and generating funds for grants, once expenses are paid, to worthy, charitable causes in Dubois.