Master’s Hand to open in Washington next Saturday

WASHINGTON - Shoppers in Washington will have a new store to visit at Master's Hand, a new thrift store.

The store will be officially open for business on Saturday, Feb. 22, Master's Hand will be located at 115 South Second Avenue in Washington, the site of the former ATA Taekwondo building.

Manager Pasoari Widiastuti, said the store will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and will work as a funding source for the Lighthouse Center, the homeless shelter in town. Donations from around town will be collected and items will be priced by volunteers.

Darren Brown, Director of the Lighthouse Center, said the business currently operates on a budget of $150,000 a year. The money gained through the new thrift store will go back to the shelter for the general operating fund.

'Part of that general operating fund is helping people with rent, bills, just different things that we do in the community because we're trying to help the people in our community,” he said.

The store will have two employees and a strong base of volunteers will be depended on to ensure success, he said. Everything from home goods to clothing will be available for purchase.

'You just never know what you're going to find, that's why you have to check it out,” he said.

Widiastuti said the normal store hours will be from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 12-6 p.m. on Saturdays. Any donations can be taken to the Lighthouse Center.

Opening a store in town is not just a way to provide a new shopping experience but a way for the community to support those who need an extra helping hand, Brown said.

'There's a lot of low income people who can't afford to go out and buy new things and we have a lot of good clothes and home goods that have lots of life left, so it will help the economy. But the No. 1 reason it's important for us is there is no way the shelter can be sustainable in a community of this size and continue on. What are hopes are, is that this will cover the deficit there and when it does, this model can happen in other communities across the U.S.,” Brown said. '(Homelessness) is a problem in small towns all across the United States and nobody really knows how to fund it so this is a way we can do it where people will be supporting us and still getting something in return.”

Currently there are 16 adults and 14 children living at the shelter, he said.

Widiastuti agreed, saying the community support is what will make the store successful and is looking forward to the grand opening Saturday.

'I want people to come into the store and leave happy because they get stuff for a low price and they know they're helping the community and making a difference by shopping here. It's a win-win for everyone,” she said.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Widiastuti at: 319-621-1084 or by email at: themastershand.iowa@gmail.com.