Troy ACS Thrift Store Remodeled and Reopened in Idaho

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

The Adventist Community Services thrift store and food bank in Troy, Idaho, reopened on January 20, 2025, after 10 months of renovations. More than 80 people attended the ceremony celebrating the thrift store’s reopening. June Miner, director of Adventist Community Services in Troy and Deary, Idaho, spoke about the history of the building and recognized those that contributed to the renovation project.

“This building has a long history of serving its community, stretching back to when it was first built in 1897 as a church in Nora Creek, Idaho,” said Miner. “Since its construction, it has moved to Troy and taken on new functions as a meeting place, a foodbank, and a thrift store.”

ACS Troy and Deary have established themselves as trusted members of their local community through more than 35 years of service; beginning with a thrift store and foodbank in Deary and expanding to Troy 12 years ago.

The Troy thrift store aims to provide essentials such as clothing and household items at very low prices so that all people can afford them, especially those on low-income in the community.

However, ACS goes beyond operating thrift stores and food banks. ACS has supported several families escaping wildfires who have lost homes, belongings, and for some, family members. ACS also regularly provides Christmas gifts and warm clothing to low-income families during the winter.

Over time, it became increasingly apparent that the Troy thrift store needed renovation. Single paned windows gave poor insulation, rickety stairs to the basement were dubious, and old siding with lead paint posed a potential health hazard.

“The old building started to lean towards the right and overall had become more and more unsafe,” said Miner. “It was time to do something, so in 2022 we began to raise money for remodeling.”

Renovations to the Troy Thrift Store began on March 20, 2024, and were finished 10 months later on January 20, 2025.

The main floor and basement were completely remodeled. The old floors, windows, and siding were taken down and replaced, the store was completely rewired, and an old stage from the building’s original function as a church was removed. These changes left a clean slate for the architect and contractor to improve the functional capacity of the building.

Space was made for a donation bin, a donation sorting area with washer and dryer, a shipping room and a dedicated cashier area. A brand-new heating and air conditioning system was installed, and the building was made more accessible with a ramp and a stair climbing chair.

ACS has two community non-profit thrift stores located in Troy and Deary, Idaho, as well as a 5,000 square feet warehouse that sells secondhand furniture and other larger items. ACS also operates two community foodbanks alongside the thrift stores, which service more than 1,000 people per month and receive roughly 18,000 pounds of food monthly.

ACS has become a pillar of the community in Troy, with growing support. All kinds of people are drawn in by the thrift store, regardless of social or economic status. The operations of ACS in Troy and Dear rely on approximately 65 regular community volunteers.

“When we began to fundraise for the renovation, there was overwhelming support from the community,” said Miner. “We raised $285,000 for this remodel project thanks to generous donations and grants we received in large part due to the active involvement of Kandy Nelson, our accountant.”

Renovations were completed debt-free, with enough funds remaining to put a new roof on the building in 2026.