A new thrift store with a vintage flair and a mission rooted in compassion will open its doors to the public Oct. 28, as George and Gaylene Hosier prepare to move their longtime God’s Helping Hands operation to a new location on Jack Warren Road.
When the Hosiers learned in February that they would need to leave their current location at Living Waters Ministry, finding a new home for Helping Hands became an urgent priority. The couple knew how important the thrift store had become to the community, but suitable rental space proved difficult to find.
“We thought it was going to close,” Gaylene admitted. “We couldn’t find a place to rent. Then someone mentioned this place to us.”
The property, which includes a two-acre lot, was formerly home to Bethel Church. The owner had moved out of state and had no plans to return.
“I asked if they would be willing to rent it,” Gaylene said. “We were told no, that they would prefer to sell it. I knew we couldn’t afford to buy it.”
Then, in what the Hosiers describe as an unexpected blessing, help arrived
“I mentioned that it was such a nice place, but I knew we couldn’t afford it,” Gaylene recalled. “That thought spoken out loud was heard, and someone who chooses to remain anonymous stepped forward with financial assistance.”
Securing the property was only the beginning. After sitting vacant for several years, the grounds needed extensive cleanup, gravel work, and repairs. The building itself required a complete overhaul before it could welcome shoppers.
The Hosiers had been asked to vacate their current location at Living Waters Ministry by Sept. 14. Recognizing that the renovation would take longer than anticipated, the ministry graciously agreed to let Helping Hands remain until the work on the new location is complete.
With a new home secured, the work began in earnest. The Hosiers and a team of volunteers rolled up their sleeves, tackling everything from clearing debris to preparing the grounds and renovating the building. Local support has played a major role in bringing the project to life.
“Heritage Rock and Services donated 20 loads of gravel, Nik Donets donated the skid steer for all the gravel work and also took care of the septic issues,” George said. “A generous local person donated a winter’s worth of firewood. Bill and Marie stepped in, with Bill handling all the electrical needs and Marie adding the artistic touches. Chris Morley donated the trailer to hold our donations.”
The outpouring of assistance has reinforced the importance of the store to the community, George said.
“People so badly want this to continue. They really stepped up,” he said. “Exciting but terrifying at the same time.”
For Gaylene, the support reflects the lasting place Helping Hands has held in local families’ lives.
“A young mother told me her mother raised them in this store, and now she is raising her own children in our store,” Gaylene said.
The new location also gave the couple an opportunity to reimagine the shopping experience. With a vision that blends vintage mercantile charm with their faith-based mission, they settled on the name Mercy Mercantile.
“We want to have a mercantile, vintage vibe,” Gaylene explained. “But also remember it is all about God’s mercy. We want customers to feel valued as they browse our ‘preloved’ treasures.”
Stepping inside the new mercantile is intended to feel like taking a step back in time. One of the distinctive features will be a soda fountain offering old-fashioned drinks and treats.
“We will have organic syrups along with the carbonated seltzer,” George said. “We will be serving malts, phosphates, and floats. And we will be making our own ice cream for the floats and malts. Our intent is to make them like they used to be made.”
Coffee and tea will also be available, with plans to eventually add old-fashioned candies.The thrift store will occupy two levels, with clothing and home décor primarily on the first floor and larger items housed in the basement. The goal is to create a more open layout that encourages shoppers to browse and enjoy the experience.
“We want a more open feel, lending a true shopping experience,” Gaylene said. “And that is where Marie came in. We designed a vision, and she made it a reality.”
While the new location will offer a fresh look and additional shopping opportunities, the Hosiers also want to keep the store affordable for the community it serves. Helping Hands will be open to the public at its current location at the Assembly of God in Delta through Oct. 14. The store will close at the end of business that day as the move gets underway. Neither location will be open Oct. 21 while the transition continues.
Mercy Mercantile will celebrate its grand opening Oct. 28 from noon to 6 p.m. Following the opening, regular business hours will be Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Living Waters Ministry has graciously agreed to keep the donation box available to the public at its usual location behind the Assembly of God Church. Larger donations, however, will need to be delivered directly to Mercy Mercantile on Jack Warren Road.
For the Hosiers, the new store represents more than a change of address. It is an opportunity to continue a community resource that local families have relied on for years while creating a welcoming place where affordable shopping, a touch of nostalgia, and a spirit of mercy come together.
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