A faith-based nonprofit organization with a mission to help veterans and their families is opening a resale store in Herculaneum.
James Williams, 75, of Park Hills, who manages Tri-County Veterans Community Services, said the store will be in two adjoining spaces at 1316 and 1320 Commercial Boulevard.
“The military side will be at 1316. It’s very military-oriented with tools, knives, surplus, medical supplies and memorabilia. We’re going to have a small museum in there of military history,” he said.
Williams said the 1320 side will serve as a resale store with new and used items available for purchase at affordable prices. He said the resale side is about 1,200 square feet.
“It’s not a big store, but we are pretty good at putting a lot of stuff in a small package,” he said.
Williams said the store receives numerous corporate donations, especially from Lowes and W. W. Grainger, and many items are new in sealed boxes. He said Tri-County Veterans will also accept individual donations during regular business hours, but donations must be quality, usable items. They will not accept leftover yard sale items.
He said the store will offer a wide variety of items, such as doors, windows, power tools, knickknacks, decorative items, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, non-prescription medical supplies, clothing, jewelry, books, puzzles, games and more.
Everyone is welcome to shop at Tri-County Veterans, and all proceeds from sales will be used toward the group’s mission to help veterans by providing them with free food, clothing, winter coats, medical supplies and more, Williams said.
While helping veterans and their families will be the priority for the organization, it will also help senior citizens, those with disabilities and others in need, he said.
“When you go into military, you take an oath to defend the country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Anybody who’s having a problem in this country, if they can’t pay their bills or something, we classify that as a domestic issue. So we’re just simply fulfilling the oath. That’s all. We’re taking care of our country,” he said.
Williams said Tri-County Veterans also plans to provide resources like transportation, information and referrals to counseling for mental health issues, PTSD, family or domestic violence.
He said the store plans to donate surplus items to local fire and police departments and districts.
“That’s another way that we try to support the community. We try to keep everybody equipped with what they need to do their jobs,” he said.
Williams said he wanted to open the store in Herculaneum because he was impressed with how the community supports veterans.
“We were looking at somewhere more veteran-oriented since we work with veterans and their families,” he said. “Herculaneum is the only city I’ve ever seen that’s got veterans on every one of their city light poles. That tells me a lot about a community right there.”
Williams said the organization does not use government funds to operate and is completely self-supported from store sales. The store can do this because all staff are volunteers who donate their time to the cause.
He said the store is always looking for people who want to volunteer their time. Anyone who wants to volunteer may reach out to him at the store at 636-465-1003 or on his cell phone at 636-222-1489. He said those seeking help should contact those same numbers.
Williams said he plans to hold an official grand opening of the store on Nov. 1, but customers may visit the store now.
“Pardon our mess while setting things up, but a visit to get to know the store is encouraged and welcomed,” he said. “It’s open to the public, and it’s an excellent way to support our veterans as well as those still serving.”
Business hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It will be closed on Sunday and Monday.