TORRINGTON – The Christian Thrift Store opened its doors on Dec. 9. This is a new thrift store located at 6617 US-85, on the south side of town across the street from Cherry Creek Metals. Their hours are Friday and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. They have a lot of unique items, including beautiful dishware sets, furniture, children's items, knickknacks and much more.

“We have some beautiful China sets and Christmas items,” Owner Joanie Wilkey said. “We have some beautiful lamps and other really unique stuff. There’s antique stuff and new stuff. There’s a variety of everything.”

They’ve got quite a few slow cookers, a few toaster ovens, an electric grill, and a microwave, along with other kitchen appliances. There are sewing items, including sewing machines, fabric and antique sewing tables. Their children’s items include toys, books and nursery furniture. Among their dishware sets, they also have pots and pans, silverware sets, and other assorted jars and vases.

Currently, they do not have clothes in the store, but they will be adding them as space opens up. In storage, they also have other dishes, knickknacks, antique chairs and vintage school desks. These items will also be added to the store when there is room.

Joanie said they do take donations as long as the items are in good condition. Dishes should be clean with no chips. Clothing should be clean without holes. They will take furniture as long as it’s in good condition. They will not take electronics such as computers and TVs.

At this time, they are accepting cash only, and are unable to take debit or credit cards. Joanie mentioned that if someone would like to purchase an item, she would be happy to hold it while the person runs to the ATM.

Joanie and her husband Pastor John Wilkey have been operating businesses in Torrington for 24 years. They currently own and operate the Ammo Shack on Main Street. In the past, they also owned and operated Wilkey Security.

“We had the security company when we moved here,” Joanie said. “Then JJ (John) decided to start selling ammo. The first ammo shack was in Yoder. We just had a small trailer that we used, and he sold ammo to the hunters out there. That's where the ammo shack began. The first year he outgrew that, and we moved the Ammo Shack into town. We did the security out of the back offices for several years. We got to the point where we got so busy with the store and doing gun shows and stuff that we just didn't have time to do the security anymore, so we closed the company.”

The thrift store is located in the God’s Gathering Place Church.

“I've always wanted to do a thrift store,” Joanie explained. “I kind of incorporated that into the Ammo Shack a little bit here and a little bit there. But I quickly ran out of space there. Since we had closed the church temporarily, the church needed money in order to pay its bills and stuff to keep it so we could open it back up anytime. So, we just decided that there was plenty of wasted room down here and we could just use it.”

The Christian Thrift Store is a for-profit organization, which means they do get charged taxes. However, the store is also considered a charity because all profits go back into the church.

“I'd like for everyone to just come out and check us out and see what they can find,” Joanie said. “There's something for everybody in here. We got friendly service.”

For more information, you can call Joanie at 307-575-0010.