Since publishing the above story in Family Tails 2024, we have the following update:

We are very busy setting up our new, second DCHS Thrift Store - Thrift Store East! It's a big space to fill so on June 4th, 2024, we will start accepting donations between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Donation drop off is located at the entrance on the back side of the building.

It’s really happening! A second store is coming!

Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) is thrilled to announce we will be opening a second DCHS Thrift Store this year at 5231 High Crossing Blvd. on Madison’s East Side. Specific details on our opening date and grand opening celebration are still in the works, so follow us on Facebook (@DCHSThriftStore) to get updates as we have them, but we are planning for a summer opening.

In 2023, DCHS Thrift Store West, located at 6904 Watts Rd. in Madison, generated a profit of approximately $130,000 to support the work DCHS does every day helping the people and animals of our community — while also providing affordable items to our shoppers and reducing waste. We are so thankful to all of you who have made this possible with your support.

Your help made our first store a great success, and we’ll need even more support to launch this second location. DCHS Thrift Stores rely heavily on volunteers. The new store will be almost double the size of our current store, so we will need lots of helping hands to keep it stocked and tidy. We are recruiting volunteers for both Thrift Stores to ensure we have the help we need to make both locations as successful as possible.

Last year, supporters like you gave over 7,000 hours to help us with all aspects of the current store’s operations. Volunteers check out customers, stock our sales floor, and sort and price donations. Some of our volunteers are eager to work with the public and support us with their customer service skills, while others prefer to work independently and help us process donated items. We want every volunteer to enjoy their time with us, and we work with you to make it a fulfilling and meaningful experience.

In addition to volunteers, we have paid staff onsite to direct the work of volunteers, answer questions, and fulfill any remaining responsibilities. We ask volunteers to commit to one shift per week that’s about two to three hours in length, but many enjoy their time at Thrift so much they pick up extra shifts whenever they can. If you’re interested in volunteering, apply at giveshelter.org/volunteer.

Learn more about all things DCHS Thrift Store at giveshelter.org/thrift.

We hope you continue to support us through volunteering, donating gently used items, shopping, and spreading the word. We can’t wait to see you at our new location!

Shelbi Bernard is the Thrift Store Manager