Second chances

The Second Chance Shop in Summerville is a nonprofit thrift store that not only gives secondhand clothes and other gently used items another chance at a cheaper price but helps provide opportunities for many needy people.

The store donates all of its proceeds to the Palmetto House homeless shelter and HELP of Summerville, organizations that help people get back on their feet.

Since its inception in 1988, Second Chance has given more than $350,000 to the local charities.

Second Chance also provides vouchers to individuals at Palmetto House to buy suitable clothing for job interviews. People aided through HELP of Summerville, which provides emergency food and money for needy families, also receive vouchers for clothing.

Started from the back porch of the late Pat Zimmerman, founder of the shop, Second Chance gradually has expanded to become a self-sustaining organization in the heart of Summerville.

More than 100 volunteers, including mostly retired women and senior citizens, keep the store going.

"If it weren't for the volunteers, we couldn't keep the store running," said Beth Wyckoff, president of the Second Chance board of directors.

Volunteer Jane Seyller has been helping out at least once a month for about two years. She heard about the store from a friend at the Summerville Senior Center, where Seyller does aerobics and line dancing.

"My motto is to keep going, keep moving," Seyller said. "It's not a matter of age, it's a matter of condition. Be friendly and have friends."

One could never guess Seyller is 90. Many of the other volunteers also share Seyller's timeless attitude.

Wyckoff, 78, began volunteering at the store right after she retired in 1994. She said Zimmerman, a good friend and neighbor, begged her to come help out at the shop. Since then, she hasn't looked back.

Wyckoff said she started volunteering by going out to many of the churches around Summerville asking for donations. Recently, however, she said the shop hasn't had a problem of donation shortages.

In fact, the store has so many donated items that the back room has boxes stacked to the ceiling filled with items that have yet to be sorted and inspected.

With all of that stuff, it's hard not to find a bargain or something new each day at the store, according to Summerville resident Charles Smith, a Second Chance regular.

Smith, 72, said he purchases mostly antiques at the shop.

"It's the cheapest place," Smith said about the store, adding, "The volunteers are wonderful and very nice."

Starting the second week of March, the shop will switch out its entire inventory.

"Everything winter is going out, and everything spring is coming in," Wyckoff said.

Anything leftover that isn't sold will go to Goodwill, Wyckoff said.

The store is having a special "bag sale" through Saturday in which customers can fill a paper grocery bag for $5.

In addition to clothes, Second Chance sells household items, decorative pieces, books, jewelry and sometimes furniture.

Most everything is generically priced, such as men suits for $10, women's jackets and suits for $5, dresses for $3 and shoes for $3, while a few specialty items may cost $35 or more.

The Second Chance Shop is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every Tuesday-Saturday and is at 115 E. 4th North St. (behind McDonald's).