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East County Veterans closes first store, looks toward 'big plans' coming soon

Contra Costa Times - 6/12/2017

June 12--ANTIOCH -- After five years at the storefront next to the police department, The East County Veterans' Thrift Store has finished its lease and will be announcing "a new adventure" in the coming weeks.

"It was my very first five-year lease, and it was a good place to get our feet wet," said Josie Monaghan, founder of the East County Veterans' Support Services group. "Our biggest obstacle with having a store down the street is managing it. I wanted to make sure the standards were kept high."

The East County Veterans' group moved into the clothing store on the corner of L and West Second streets in March of 2012 but has continued to expand beyond what the little store could hold.

In 2014, it moved into the vacated Rivertown location on the corner of West Second Street and G Street and began to sell furniture and housewares. The store took off.

In July of 2016, it received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status as a public charity that works to assist veterans and military families transition from service to civilian life. The main store on G Street continues to devote a portion of the store to working as a food pantry for veterans and re-gifts clothing back to veterans and their families.

"The downtown Antioch store has proven to be the best decision I've ever made," Monaghan said. "Everyone here is great, and I'm not going anywhere until I'm ready to retire."

Monaghan is nearing the end of her work cleaning out the other store and is already looking forward to the future. Big plans are in the works, and she expects to make an announcement before the end of the month.

"We're looking forward to our new adventure that's coming up soon," Monaghan said.

For now, donations are still being taken at the main store at 522 W. Second St. every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 925-206-4976 or go to ecvss.org.

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(c)2017 the Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.)

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