White Elephant thift shop gives back

The White Elephant Thrift Shop located at Westminster Village, 5215 Southside Drive (former Eaker Air Force Base), is a place for people looking for a bargain or  people looking for a way to help others.

The White Elephant is over 20 years old and is non-profit.  Money from items sold at the shop goes back into a residential activity fund that benefits those living at Westminster Village. It is also the place that opens the doors to families that are victims of fire. They also donate to the Haven, a shelter for battered women, when needed as well as others. 

The workers are Westminster Village residents and volunteers. The items sold at the White Elephant are donated by people throughout the area, as well as those living at Westminster.

Managers are Emma Burns and Mel Wagner. Jean Scott and Lorene McMillen assist when needed.

“We hear people say they did not know the shop is open to the public and not just for Westminster Village,” Emma said.

Winter hours are shorter than summer hours. Winter hours are 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Arrangements may be made to open at different hours by calling the store at (870) 532-4144 or Ms. Burns at (703) 454-4168.

Emma said they have a lot of marked down Christmas items and clothing items right now and it is a good time to visit. The store carries everything from jewelry, small appliances, glassware, kitchen items, shoes, purses, books and much more.

“People are very generous about giving us nice items to stock the rooms and we appreciate it,” Emma said. “We want to let people know we are here. Mel does a great job of organizing everything."

The White Elephant Shop is easy to find with signs posted along the way. Turn on what was once the main gate of the base, Memorial Drive, turn left near the Ramey Center and it is located on the left, on Southside Drive.

Both Burns and Wagner love opening the store and visiting with customers as they browse through the store.

Emma  said she and her husband lived in Gosnell and her husband worked at the base. She never thought she would be returning but decided to come back and is happy to be back in the South. Mel and her mother moved to Westminster Village about three years ago from Illinois.

Managing the White Elephant Shop is something they both enjoy and hope more people will come by and take advantage of the bargains.