Mary Ann’s Place volunteer Mitzi Henson looks through a rack of men’s shirts. It’s the volunteers’ job to sort through donations and keep the store tidy.

Text and Photos
By Lilli Dwyer
InkFree News

WARSAW — Mary Ann’s Place in Warsaw is a somewhat unique thrift store that resells donations for The Beaman Home, a residential shelter for victims of domestic violence. Clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, kitchenware, books and home decorations can all be found on its racks and shelves.

Starting out as the Basic Needs Center for Beaman Home’s clients, Mary Ann’s Place has continued to grow over time. In the past, excess donations would be sold once a month. By 2019, however, the operation had grown so much that it warranted a full-time storefront and moved into a location on Argonne Road. In 2021, Mary Ann’s Place moved again to its current home.

“In the two years since I’ve started, we’ve grown probably 75% at least, in all aspects, donations and shoppers,” said Manager Michal Smead.

“For the clients of The Beaman Home, everything is free. They’ll come to the shelter with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They’ll come over here, and we’ll get them things they need like pajamas, clothes, underwear, and bras. Then, when a client is ready to move out of the shelter, they can utilize what we have to offer; the furniture, dishes, pots and pans,” Beaman Home Executive Director Renea Salyer explained.

“Whatever we have, they have,” added Mitzi Henson, a Beaman Home volunteer.

Anything left over then goes up for sale in the store. All the proceeds from Mary Ann’s Place go directly back into Beaman Home’s programs. The shelter takes in over 350 clients each year. There is also a non-residential outreach program for those who have experienced domestic violence but are safe where they are now.

“Everything is free as far as counseling. We have support groups, life skills classes, case management that helps the clients work on their goals and helps them navigate the legal system, helping them get protective orders and things like that. We also have a housing program for those who qualify; we’ll help them find housing or apply for housing authority,” Salyer said.

Mary Ann’s Place, named after founding member, Mary Ann Cox, is a part of its efforts to help as many people as they can.

“I think that as we get the word out about it, people understand that it’s not just a thrift store, it’s actually ‘thrifting for a cause’ is kind of how we say it. It touches lives that come in from the community. We cover three counties: Marshall, Fulton and Kosciusko. It brings awareness to a program about domestic violence and it’s another way to give back to the community, too,” Salyer went on.

Mary Ann’s Place is a resale store run by domestic violence shelter The Beaman Home. All proceeds from sales here go back into Beaman Home’s programs, which help clients access counseling, support groups, life skills classes, housing and help navigating the legal system.

Smead remarked that the store has quite a few regular shoppers. Donations come in daily, so there is always something new.

Volunteers receive the donations and sort through them for anything that doesn’t meet store standards.

“If it’s stained or buttons are gone, it goes in the trash, unfortunately. But if it’s just a button gone or no sizing in it, we send it on,” explained volunteer Sally Cripe.

Some of the items that can’t be sold in the store are passed on to the World Compassion Network, where they can be distributed to other areas in need.

The Beaman Home has plans to grow Mary Ann’s Place and its offerings even further in the next year. They recently received a donation of a van, which they plan to help clients move into new housing with. This will also give them opportunities to find and transport more home furnishings.

“That might be what we could use volunteers for, is moving,” said Smead.

“We’re going to kick off more marketing this year; that’s one of our goals is to get more marketing out there and create more partnerships with the community,” Salyer added.

Mary Ann’s Place is located at 704 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. More information can be found on Facebook at The Beaman Home’s Mary Ann’s Place.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Beaman Home should apply online through thebeamanhome.org.