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Hernando Today

Habitat Thrift Store Open For Business

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By TONY MARRERO

Published: May 15, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Carol Austin slid on the black sandal

and gave it a look and a step.

Austin, of Masaryktown, was also trying something

else out Wednesday — the new location of Habitat

for Humanity's thrift store.

She put the sandal back, but raved about the

store.

"I like it," she said. "It's nice and bright."

The local organization that provides homes for

needy residents is celebrating its own new digs.

After many months of real estate hunting, the

nonprofit group found a home for its thrift store

and office space in a 12,000-square-foot former

Walgreens store at 19450 Cortez Blvd., in the

Brooksville Square shopping plaza at the corner

of Cortez and Broad Street.

The store opened May 5.

"The location is excellent," said Cliff Fouts,

the group's executive director.

Habitat had leased 13,500 square feet from

Christian Contractors Association (CCA) in a

building on U.S. 41, south of the Hernando County

Airport, since 2005.

The county discovered that Habitat was operating

a business on land zoned industrial, and CCA did

not want to seek a rezoning. County officials

gave Habitat time to look for a new place.

The group had its eye on the Brooksville Square

site last year but was turned down by the owner,

who said a thrift store wouldn't be good for

business, Fouts said.

Habitat got its hopes up for a former

manufacturing plant and warehouse on Oliver

Street near the Hernando County Fairgrounds, but

that fell through. Then the group found out

earlier this year Brooksville Square had been

sold and tried again.

The new owner greeted them with open arms, Fouts

said.

Habitat has set aside a 2,000-square-foot section

of space for offices. The word "Hallmark" on one

wall hints at the building's former life — the

area was once a liquor store attached to

Walgreens and then, later, the gift shop.

Store manager Barbara Yanichko said she is

getting used to making do with less floor space

available for merchandise.

"It's a challenge, but I love where we are,"

Yanichko said.

She said the location — in a busy shopping center

that already houses a sub shop, hair salon,

Laundromat, discount store, Chinese restaurant

and check cashing operation, among others — is

worth the sacrifice. She said she has already

noticed not just an increase in foot traffic, but

also that regular customers of the former store

are showing up more often because of the

convenient location.

Habitat, a local affiliate of Habitat for

Humanity International, receives some donations,

but proceeds from the thrift store enable it to

provide affordable housing to local families. The

group spends about $75,000 per home and averages

two to three homes per year.

The group is currently working on two homes in a

neighborhood off California Street.

Dave Currey of Masaryktown sifted through a box

of electronic cables in the new store Monday. The

old store was closer to his home, but Currey said

he'll still visit the store as often as he always

did.

"Even if I'm coming to town for something else,

it's fun to stop by," he said. "We always find

something."

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at

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