Country Store celebrates 79th year

For nearly eight decades, Grace Community Church has been the place to find that sought-after knick-knack, holiday decoration or maybe a shirt or blouse, all at a discounted price.

The 79th annual Country Store is happening Oct. 16–17 at the church, located at 1150 Wyoming St. It will be open that Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Just about every nook and cranny within the church, its basement of now-closed school is filled with items.

Each year the event has drawn a big crowd of bargain hunters. And it’s not just the shoppers who enjoy the Country Store.

“First of all, our volunteers are passionate about their service,” said Pandora Rider Ahlstrom, one of the main organizers of the event. “We have a blast working on this event. Second, our donors know their hand-me-overs are supporting worthwhile causes. But most importantly, we offer a huge variety of quality goods at incredibly low prices. We help new families furnish their homes, provide cool school clothes, and we offer unusual items for the vintage collector. Oh, and the homemade chili and baked goods are also a draw.”

Shoppers can browse thousands of donated items including furniture, clothing, collectibles, electronics, housewares, jewelry, children’s items, holiday décor, baked goods and more.

The Country Store is one of Grace Community Church’s largest annual fundraisers, with proceeds helping support missions and church improvements. The event also gives donated items a second life, with some goods benefiting other local charitable organizations.

“And just from my own perspective, I think a big part of what makes Country Store so important is how much it has helped support Grace over the years,” Rider Ahlstrom said. “It’s not just a fun tradition, it’s one of those events that has helped make a lot of the church’s work possible, while still being something the community genuinely enjoys and comes back for year after year.

For more information, contact the church at 702-293-2018.

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The print version of this article had the correct dates but not the correct days.