St.Vincent de Paul store finds temporary locations after fire

December 22, 2011 Tweet 

Written by Lindsey VanHulle and Published by the Lansing State Journal

The St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Lansing has found temporary locations thanks to community donations after a fire destroyed its REO Town headquarters.

 The Catholic charity will occupy two temporary storefronts on South Cedar Street in Lansing. Most of its inventory was lost in an early Sunday fire that is believed by Lansing Fire Department officials to have been accidental. 

 The store will open Monday to take in donations — clothing, furniture, household goods and other items needed to operate — that it hasn't been able to collect this week. St. Vincent de Paul will occupy empty storefronts at 5136 and 5206 S. Cedar St. 

 The properties are owned by Glenagain LLC. Local commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis/Martin contacted St. Vincent de Paul administrators to offer vacant retail space for short-term use. 

"Sometimes, the worst things are the best blessings," said Marcia Barrons Maiville, president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Lansing District Council. "We lost a lot of the end-of-year donations that we would have normally been able to take advantage of, but you know what? There's a lot of people who I'm sure will be there in line next week to drop things off for us."

Also, Sam Eyde Sr., owner of Sam Eyde Management Co., offered rent-free warehouse space on Enterprise Drive.

"They do a lot of good and we've been a blessed family, and I have no problems helping them out," Eyde said. "We believe in it and they need some help."

Van Martin, the local CBRE's chairman and CEO, said the spaces in a shopping plaza near Cedar Street and Jolly Road will be offered rent-free.

"St. Vincent had a dire need," Martin said. "It was the right thing to do."

Lansing firefighters believe the fire at the charity's South Washington Avenue site was an accident, but did not offer specifics.

Fire department spokesmen could not be reached for comment Wednesday. They have said fire broke out in a room used to prepare items for resale.

Flames consumed furniture and clothing supplies that could have lasted two and six months, respectively, as well as other equipment valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, Maiville has said.

The organization gives items to people in need and sells items in its thrift store to raise money for community services.

St. Vincent also provides $20,000 to $25,000 a month in utility assistance.