New building planned for Care and Share thrift store

A new building for Gravette's Care and Share operation will soon be located on ground immediately behind the vehicles in this photo. Construction is expected to begin within the next few weeks.
A new building for Gravette's Care and Share operation will soon be located on ground immediately behind the vehicles in this photo. Construction is expected to begin within the next few weeks.

— The Care and Share “thrift store” will soon be housed in a new building in Gravette.

The plan to move from the store’s present location on Main Street has been considered for some time. Rezoning of a block of property adjacentthe Care and Share Specialty Shop along Highway 59 South in Gravette was finalized at Thursday night’s City Council meeting.

Construction on a new building east of the Specialty Shop is expected to begin soon and groundbreaking will be announced, according toSandy Bugner, vice president of the Care and Share board of directors.

Care and Share was founded more than 25 years ago as a cooperative effort of local/area churches to assist families. It evolved to the thrift store and later the Specialty Shop which finances the Care and Share mission program.

It is governed by a board of directors, representing the various churches/organizations which support the program. Keith Boldt is chairman of the board.

Bugner said the new metal building will be located east of the specialty store which began operation in the former Church of Christ-Scientist building several years ago.

Quality Sales of Gentry has already been contracted to construct the metal building, which will have a color scheme to complement the existing building. Located on Lots 1-6 of Highland Addition, the new structure will have a west-facing entrance and the two separate stores will share parking.

The 150 x 60 foot structure will also include a new controlled unloading dock.

Bugner said earthwork is expected to begin soon and, hopefully, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held in August.

The future of the present Care and Share building on Main Street is now under consideration.

News, Pages 1 on 08/03/2011