New Floyd County thrift store gives back to those in need
Sep. 22—NEW ALBANY — The clean, organized and full racks at The Wishing Well Thrift Store on Grant Line Road in New Albany are already bustling.
The store, located at 2916 Grant Line Road, recently opened in the former Payless Shoe Source location.
Owner Andrew Schmitt is no stranger to running a business in New Albany, because he owned three Andy's Video stores from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s in the city.
Customers from those stores have already come to see him at the thrift store, but he'll be quick to say the store isn't about him, it's for the people it serves.
Proceeds from the thrift shop will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation's local chapter, as well as people dealing with homelessness.
"I've volunteered for the last 11 years with Make-A-Wish, whenever they have a kid wanting to go to the Kentucky Derby or see a horse in the state of Kentucky, or on a farm, I help with that," he said. "I have had the privilege of having kids with their families at the Kentucky Derby all week."
Schmitt has been a horse owner for years, which is how he made his connections with Churchill Downs.
"There's some very kind people at Churchill Downs that allow this to happen," he said. "The parents usually say it makes the kid forget about all their troubles, their doctors visits and that, and they just get to enjoy a week at Churchill Downs."
The Wishing Well has items for everyone, including pet supplies, shoes, furniture, kitchen gadgets and clothing.
Donations have been pouring in, said Schmitt's sister, Cindy Martin.
She said they'd started collecting from family and friends at first, and filling up storage units.
"Andrew heard somewhere if you're going to open a new business it should be where there's a need," Martin said. "There's a need to get rid of stuff, there's a need to buy stuff inexpensive, this community is struggling."
Martin said Scmitt has felt the need to help others since they were kids.
Shoppers seem to be fans of the store's mission as well.
"A lot of customers coming in, they ask about it, what the money goes to," he said. "When they hear Make-A-Wish and the community we will be helping with some of the homelessness in Jeffersonville ... they get really excited and can't get enough of it, really."
The store is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
"My weakness has always been kids, I just love helping with Make-A-Wish," he said. "I should get no credit because I get such a thrill out of it."
