Debbie Windhorn never knows what her inventory will be.
"We have a little bit of everything. You've got to come every day," the manager of Fort Gordon's Thrift Shop said about appreciating the variety of merchandise.
The shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturdays from October through May. The shop is closed in July.
Though only military ID cardholders can consign items to the shop, civilians with no military affiliation can shop there, she said.
The Thrift Shop is in three buildings in the Brems Barrack area behind the Post Exchange.
One building contains household items, linens and books; the second has clothing and accessories, such as purses; and the third holds furniture, toys and baby items.
Since the store reopened after its summer break, Mrs. Windhorn has seen an increase in business. On Aug. 5, patrons were lined up outside the store before it opened, she said.
"We do around 30 consignments in a day," she said. Twenty items is the most consignors may bring in per day.
Mrs. Windhorn said the shop is particular about the items consigned and will turn away items that are not of good quality.
The Fort Gordon Service Club operates the Thrift Shop. The club uses the proceeds from the shop and two flea markets it holds each year to fund scholarships for military dependents and grants to area charities.
The club awards the money at a banquet each spring.
According to Eva Proudfit, thd service club president, the organization distributed $16,000 in scholarships and $16,000 in welfare and service grants in 2008.
Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.
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