Jan. 2, 2025

West-siders now have a new place to shop and save while supporting those in need.

The new St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store & Donation Center opened today at 3000 S. Ellis Road, on the northeast corner of 41st Street and Ellis Road.

It joins the existing location for the Sioux Falls District Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at 431 N. Cliff Ave., which will continue normal operations.

“We’re thrilled to open the doors for shoppers on the west side and the broader metro area,” Scott Ausland, the general manager for both stores, said in a statement.

“The store is looking fabulous. Donations have been amazing. It has been a rousing success from the start from that standpoint, and that’s typically what’s going to drive the front of house as well.”

The 27,000-square-foot store offers a larger shopping experience with room for the Society to process and warehouse donations under one roof. A drive-thru allows for easy donations.

“The donations we’ve received have looked outstanding – clean and new and very plentiful,” Ausland said. “We’ve got a lot of things waiting for shoppers, from apparel for men, women and children to household items and furniture – essentially all your needs.”

When you shop with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, you also support the organization’s broader mission. In the Sioux Falls area, the Society helps with a range of basic needs, including:

• Rent/housing assistance
• Utilities
• Food
• Clothing
• Furniture
• Household items
• Bus passes

“Our new west-side thrift store will directly support this mission, allowing us to reach so many more local families in need,” said Leslie Cooper, who chairs the Society’s store committee.

“At a time when we know many households are stretching their budgets, we see it as a true win-win for both shoppers and those we serve.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization founded in the Catholic Church in 1833.

The St. Vincent de Paul District Council is made up of local parish Vincentians, or volunteers, who are currently active in the communities of Sioux Falls, Yankton, Watertown and Aberdeen. They go in pairs to meet with community members in need to best assess how to help.

Additionally, the Society organizes the Holy Innocents Diaper Ministry, which provides diapers, wipes and formula vouchers to qualifying families the first three weeks of the month on Wednesday and Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the North Cliff Avenue store.

The thrift stores, where all donations ultimately are monetized either through sales or a recycling program, help support the Society’s programs.

Preferred donations include:

• Domestics – Bed linens, comforters, blankets, pillows
• Clothes – Ladies’, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes, sweaters, jackets
• Accessories – Purses, wallets, belts, hats
• Housewares – Various housewares for kitchen use. Utensils, dinnerware, small appliances such as coffee makers
• Furniture – Sofas, love seats, dressers, bedroom sets — no mattresses or metal bed frames — armoires, chests, dining tables/chairs, recliners, buffets, floor rugs
• Home Decor – Wall art, mirrors, framed art, collectibles, figurines, statues, lamps
• Toys – Useable condition with all pieces intact. Bicycles, board games, small toys
• Sporting Goods – Equipment that is still in good working condition, bats, balls, golf clubs, tennis rackets, fishing poles, etc.
• Jewelry – All ladies’ and men’s jewelry, costume or fine jewelry
• Entertainment – Movies, books, CDs, musical instruments in good working order
• Luggage – Bags of all types with zippers and latches in working order
• Outdoor Items – Gardening tools and equipment in good working order, outdoor furniture in good condition
• Electronics – TVs, stereos, small electronics, all in good working order
• Medical Equipment – Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, shower stools, portable toilets, all in good condition

Items not accepted include:

• No soiled, torn or broken furniture
• No car batteries or tires
• No unframed mirrors or unframed glass
• No tube television sets
• No appliances in a broken state
• No paint containers
• No venetian blinds

“Everything helps our neighbors in need,” Ausland said. “Your support allows us to guide many people through difficult times.”

The diaper program is expected to begin at the new west-side store in the spring.

The new store is still hiring for positions, including cashiers and back-office processing roles. To apply, stop in during business hours.

Hours for the new store are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Watch for information on a grand-opening celebration later this year.

To learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, click here.

Ellis Road corridor fills in with commercial activity to support growing population