NEWTON FALLS — It was after the May 31, 1985, tornado that went through Newton Falls and other communities that the Church Mouse Thrift Shoppe was established to help neighbors and friends in need.

Forty years later, the store continues to provide a service to the public.

Beverly Connell, store manager, with six years of experience helping the Church Mouse, said after the tornado ravaged Newton Falls, the community came together to help families by donating clothes and household items.

The Church Mouse was formed in the summer of 1985 and opened at its current location off Broad Street in October 1985.

“After the tornado damaged our town, so many people in the community wanted to help the families affected by the tornado and began donating clothing and household items at a drop-off location inside the St. Joseph Church,” Connell said. “There were so many donations that we outgrew the church site and brought in a tractor trailer to put items in.”

Debbie Braun, one of the founders of the Church Mouse, said she remembers a semi filled with items that first year.

“There were so many items we decided we needed a storefront,” Braun said.

She said among the original organizers were Doug Herlinger, who was the store manager, and Mary Hall, who was at the time in charge of the recovery center, and accepted monetary donations and then allocated the money.

The store is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and is staffed by volunteers who help price items and unload donations.

Connell said the volunteers are mostly senior citizens.

Braun said clothing is what most customers are looking for, with donations coming from people locally and out of the area.

She said about 100 people come into the store each day.

“We were so small in the beginning. I never thought we would be here 40 years,” she said.

Braun and Connell said the store expanded because of a need for space to sort all of the clothes and for the food pantry, which began 25 years ago.

Braun said the location is ideal in the busy downtown area.

“People love us here because of the convenient location. We are one of the biggest draws when all the stores stay open late for events on Fridays,” Braun said.

Connell said the area being named on the National Register of Historic Places is a plus for the business since there are many bus trips to the downtown area for shopping.

“They can go shopping from one store to the next,” Braun said.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

“This is a mission for me to help,” Braun said.

Her husband, Rick, who is retired, also helps the Church Mouse.

Braun said many people help at the Church Mouse to acquire community service hours, whether for civic organizations, schools, Scouts or the court system.

The Church Mouse also has partnered with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide work experience for participants. The arrangement helps people gain experience to be able to transition from assistance to employment.

Connell said the name Church Mouse came from the effort starting at a church.

Monies raised from the store sales go toward food for the Church Mouse food pantry. Donations also are given to the local ministerial association, which provides school supplies and scholarships to Newton Falls schools.

“We are a nonprofit and what we raise goes to help others,” she said.

Braun said there has been discussion of moving to other locations, such as the former Rite Aid building, but the costs of such a move are high. For now, the store will remain at the current location because of its visibility to traffic and visitors.

Braun and Connell said they never know what donations they will receive, noting they sometimes receive clothing items with inappropriate or objectionable wording on them.

“We never know what will pass through these doors,” Braun said.

Connell said many people who stop are looking for vintage or seasonal items. She said they get many Christmas sweaters and also items for other holidays, such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day.

Braun said there are storage areas upstairs for the many seasonal items, which are brought to the store throughout the year. She said Christmas is in one room by itself.

Lindsay Cunningham of Newton Falls is among those who volunteer.

“I love the people I get to meet here. I am amazed at all the donations,” she said.

Julia Cramer of Texas, formerly of Newton Falls, said she was visiting her brother, Dan Sabo of Newton Falls, and came to shop at the Church Mouse.

“I remember this being part of Newton Falls,” she said.

Braun said the Church Mouse has survived for 40 years thanks to the people who are willing to volunteer their time and talents on a recurring basis.

She said the Church Mouse also survives because of donations of food, clothing and home goods, and donations of cash and checks.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Church Mouse, there are special sales planned for October.