By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Love checking out thrift stores? Have you been anticipating the return of Hogsed’s in Warne? You’re in luck and must wait no longer for either.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, Hogsed’s General Store celebrated its grand re-opening in the same site where Hogsed’s sold hunting, fishing and other sporting goods for many years. A few steps away, in the same building, The Funny Farm Thrift Store officially opened its doors at the same time.
With a motto, “where life is beautiful all the time,” the thrift store will benefit The Senior Scenter, a local sanctuary for small senior dogs and special needs animals. It will also benefit Puppies Under Protection, the non-profit which supports the sanctuary, as well as some other rescue projects.
“It’s the hunter versus the rescue,” Jeanne Strack, founder of The Senior Scenter laughed, explaining the unlikely pairing in the same building. The idea for a thrift store developed after Strack and the rescue had lots of good stuff leftover from a fund-raising yard sale a few months ago. She had considered a thrift store in the past but was not sure where to start. Running a rescue farm, a pet crematorium and working a job takes lots of time. Cindy Stratton overheard the thrift store discussion the last day of the yard sale and told Strack she may know a place. She connected Strack and Sam Hogsed and the idea was formulated. Strack said, “It has been miraculous.”
Hogsed said Hogsed’s General Store will be a smaller version of what the old Hogsed’s was all about. Rocky socks, Tshirts, boots and furniture, will be sold alongside ammo and more. Local jams, jellies, soaps and candles are some of the other items available to buy. Hogsed said he hopes to sell things at a discounted price.
On Saturday, Hogsed had brought in 400 pounds of fresh Carolina shrimp which he scooped into one pound packages for eager shrimp lovers. “It’s a great day to be in the mountains,” he said, sharing one of his favorite mantras.
In a corner of Hogsed’s General Store, a family history display shows the sewing machine where Hogsed’s mother, Helen, sewed coveralls to sell in the store. A montage of old pictures, artwork, letters and photographs depicts what life was like for the Hogseds decades ago in the Warne area.
Hogsed said his faithful volunteers, Stratton and Sherry Prillhart, have helped to make this possible. “Getting this place open again will make my mama happy,” he grinned. For those who remember his mama, Helen will often be rocking on the front porch ready for some reminiscing.
The Grand Reopening of Hogsed’s and grand opening of the Funny Farm Thrift Store went well Saturday.
“Despite Mother Nature trying to throw a wrench into our day we still had a great turnout,” Strack said. “Hogsed’s also had a great day and many people were happy to see them reopen. It was like old home week. So many customers were running into friends and we had groups of people chatting and enjoying themselves. We are hoping to be the place in Warne to hang out.”
Both Hogsed and Strack are already planning bigger things. The thrift store has a space for arts and crafts classes. Some things such as weaving, sewing, mosaic, painting, woodcarving and more, are already being planned. Strack hopes to contribute to the local community in other ways once the thrift store is established.
Next spring or summer, Hogsed plans to add gem mining in the smaller building out front and a remote-control car racetrack out back. There will also be an event space for parties. The concealed carry classes he currently teaches will be housed in the back of the store soon.
The thrift store always has lots of items to sort, hang and display and donations are being accepted. Strack said they can always use volunteers, from woodworkers to graphic artists and sorters of donations. Stop by or email her at: tomanypups1@aol.com to ask how you may volunteer. “We have a role for you,” she added.
The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at 5100 Old Highway 64 in Warne. Like Hogsed’s General Store and The Senior Scenter on Facebook.