Small Business Shout Out: Bethesda Thrift Shop

The following answers were provided by Marla Fisher, store manager for Bethesda Thrift Shop in Ballwin. If you have a business and want to participate in Patch's Small Business Shout Out you can fill out the form here.

This is Bethesda Thrift Shop-Ballwin's Facebook page.

When was the business founded? "Bethesda Lutheran Communities was founded in 1904 in Watertown, WI. Our thrift shop opened in Ballwin in June, 2008."

How did your business come to be? "The thrift shops began to raise money to help the people we serve with intellectual disabilities. Our clients are on disability insurance but that does not cover all their needs. One hundred percent of our net profit goes to purchase special hearing aids, dentures, wheelchairs and provide spiritual care as well as a safe and dignified small group home. There are six small group homes in the greater St. Louis area. There are over 100 small group homes throughout the United States. We also provide care for people in Haiti and Eastern Europe.

Why did you choose the area you did? "Ballwin has the small town atmosphere and is easy to get to from all of the greater St. Louis area and beyond. When we opened in 2008 there were only two thrift shops in the Ballwin area and now there are five. That goes to show the wonderful community support and care that we experience everyday."

What kind of services do you offer? "To our customers we offer affordable clothing, home goods, toys and different types of media. We also have a large selection of collectables, vintage items and furniture. We take care of and respect all of our donations. We make sure they are clean and in tip-top shape for our customers. Our donors always comment on how well we treat their donations. For the people we serve, we provide financial means to help them live dignified lives and meet their highest potential. For our volunteers, we offer a clean and happy working environment with meaningful fellowship and an opportunity to make life-long friends."

What's a fact about your business that most customers probably don't know? "We have 75 very talented volunteers who continue to use their talents to make it work."

What do you want your business to be best known for? "We are best known for our customer service. We know many of our customers by name and their grandchildren and even their dogs. We are very caring to everyone who walks through our door and we are very happy to help fill their needs, if it is styling a special occasion outfit or taking a request in our book and keeping an eye out for a special item."

What's your most popular product or service? "By far our clothing is the most popular item we sell. We are also known for our homemade peanut butter dog treats. They are hard to keep stocked. After that, our wonderful collection of vintage items, clothing as well as collectible. Retro is really popular. It is like walking through a museum that you can buy the items. We are also know for our music. We play CD recordings from the 40s to the 60s. We also put on the Cardinals games if they are playing during the day."

For information, visit the Ballwin Thrift Shop webpage, check out the store's Patch business listing and be sure to Like Bethesda Thrift Shop, Ballwin on Facebook.