By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor 

  Four year-old Dylan Madden was ready to haul his bag full of goodies to the car after a shopping trip with his mama and grandmother at the Blessings Thrift Store in McDonough.

Dylan Madden found all kinds of fun toys at Blessings Thrift Store, which donates proceeds to the Haven House, a battered women’s shelter in Henry County.       Photo by Melissa Robinson

  His mother, Rebecca, of Forest Park, said she brings her mother to the store a few times a month, as the inventory is ever changing.

  “We always find something, especially for kids. We get designer clothes, and he always finds toys he wants,” said Madden.

  Shopper Jeannette Weaver said she was thrilled to find a beautiful fringe shade lamp, like new, for a mere $4. The McDonough resident said she stops by Blessings Thrift Store just about everyday to see what’s on sale and check out new merchandise.

  “I just moved and furnished most of my place from here. This is my store. I bought a living room suite, all my wall hangings and most of my kitchen. I find the best items here,” she said.

  Faye Brown of McDonough said she visits the store often and said she finds great shoes and purses for a fraction of the retail price.

  “I tell a lot of people about the store and Ms. Beverly is very accommodating to her customers. She always has great sales going on,” said Brown.

  Blessing Thrift Shop is a hidden jewel off the beaten path that is filled to the seams with a variety of items, from clothes and shoes to furniture, paintings, house wares, books and much more. Formerly on Jodeco Rd., the thrift store relocated to Work Camp Rd. off of Phillips Dr. in McDonough, in the former county extension office.

  Operated by manager Beverly Barnes, Blessings Thrift Store benefits the Haven House, which is a battered women’s shelter in Henry County. Proceeds from the store go directly back to the shelter and women who move on from the shelter are able to shop for free to obtain what they need to live on their own. Barnes said the biggest misconception is that the store is only for the residents of Haven House.

  “Blessings is open to the public and we really do have something for everyone,” said Barnes. “We have sales everyday and are continually adding to our inventory.”

With ample parking outside, the inside rooms are set up by theme rooms, with collections of items displayed together, such as the baby’s room, little boys’ and girls’ rooms, a small book room with seating to peruse the volumes, as well as a variety of linens, curtains and other house wares.

  Blessings Thrift Store is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and is always in need of donations, large and small. Donations may be dropped off during business hours and large items can be picked up. Barnes also said that stores wishing to donate out of season inventory are welcome to do so and donations are tax deductible. For more information, call the store at 770-288-6503.