New Salvation Army Family Store opens

South Fort Myers shoppers recently gathered at the new Family Store during the grand opening of the discounted items retailer.

The Salvation Army opened its 20,000 square foot store for customers looking for low priced items like clothing, furniture, children’s toys and knick knacks on U.S. 41 in south Fort Myers across from Jamaica Bay.

“That neighborhood is a new part of town for us and it will be good for us to reach our customers there,” said Megan Spears, the store’s spokesperson. “A family store is similar to other thrift stores but we offer more items and discounts.”

The store is two times larger than the old store in Fort Myers.

“It’s a bit more south of Fort Myers and it helps people in Estero and San Carlos and it gives us more access to them,” said Major Austruderto Flores. “It gives people an opportunity to find second hand goods at an affordable price.”

Affordable prices is the staple of family stores especially at a time when the economy isn’t at its best, Flores said.

“With economy the way it is thrift stores are always places people turn to for discounted items,” said Flores about the store that will include a children’s area and a sporting goods area.

The Salvation Army paid $3.5 million for the space that used to house a furniture store.

“The space is beautifully laid out and it gives us new ways to put out our items,” said Spears about the location that was picked because of the price. “We are very price conscious when buying space.”

The extra space will also allow the store to have more sales like a new table for knick knacks that will be priced for a quarter.

All store profits support Crossroads, a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

“Our business will be complementary to the other area business,” said Spears referring to other thrift stores just south of the Family Store. “This gives shoppers more options and more selection.”