The Second Chance Thrift Store opened this week in the Osborne Shopping Center on Ringgold Road.

This is not just any thrift store, as 100 percent of the proceeds generated from sales goes to the Humane Educational Society.

“It was my husband Bob’s idea,” said Debra Citrullo, who manages the store along with her husband, the executive director of the Hamilton County Humane Educational Society. “He had set up thrift stores in Arizona and Iowa in conjunction with the Humane Society there. If it worked there it could work here.”

There was no shortage of traffic in the store on Wednesday morning, as people perused the offerings. Everything from pet supplies and toys to clothes for men, women and children, along with the other brick-a-brack associated generally with thrift stores is available to the consumer with a bent toward helping our four-legged friends.

Ms. Citrullo said the store was about six months in the planning. She said her husband had the help of Mayor Brent Lambert in securing the prime commercial location in the center owned by Henry Luken. “He (Luken) provided this building for us,” she said.

Citrullo said they are trying to make donating unwanted items to the store as easy as possible. 

“If you’ve got large items, give us a call and we will come and pick it up,” Citrullo said. “Otherwise, smaller donations can be brought through the front door. If you are bringing in a large item, just let us know and we can get it in the back door.”

The Second Chance Thrift Store is located at 3807 Ringgold Road, a couple doors down from Amigo’s Restaurant. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may contact the store at 423-708-8995 or via e-mail at [email protected].