Salvation Army prepares to move Belvidere thrift store to former grocery site

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — The Salvation Army is preparing to move its thrift store and donation center to part of a former grocery store along the U.S. Route 20 Bypass.

The nonprofit organization is targeting a March 6 opening for its new Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center at 413 Southtowne Drive. It fills approximately half of the former Countryside Fresh Market, which closed in early 2024. The space was previously Pacemaker Fine Foods.

“The space is more centrally located. It’s right off the 20 bypass, which is more frequently traveled,” said Heather Eilken, director of retail operations for The Salvation Army. “We’re hoping that with the new move, and other locations opening up new stores on that side of Belvidere, that this will draw in some more customers to know that we’re here to serve the community.”

The new site also has logistical advantages with a large back room area that’s more conducive to receiving and storing donations before they go to the floor for sale, Eilken said.

The group is moving from its home at 4042 State St. It’s starting to build fixtures now and move items over to the new site.

“Hopefully right before one of our bigger sales, which is our spring sale, we will be fully moved into that location,” Eilken said.

The Salvation Army’s thrift store sells an array of secondhand clothing, furniture, household goods and other gently used items to raise money for its rehabilitation programs. The proceeds from sales in Belvidere support the work of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, 1706 18th Ave., in Rockford. The center provides a faith-based work therapy program for adults struggling with alcohol and substance abuse issues. Its services are provided at no cost to those in need.

“The most important thing I want the community to understand is that their money stays right here in the Rockford region to help men struggling from addiction,” Eilken said.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas