MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Located across from the Provost Marshal's Office and next to Yujo Hall sits a little, out of the way, thrift shop, overflowing with everything from car seats to compact discs. Three people operate the store, volunteering their time to make sure the store runs smoothly and everything on the shelves are in good condition.
Working in the Thrift Store is more than running the register and helping customers find items. Balancing the finances, sorting through donated goods and paying the bills also go into keeping the store operational.
Practical merchandise at pauper's prices along with unique treasures looking for a second home are available to Iwakuni residents.
"We have a toddler room and all clothing in there is only 50 cents," said Mary Ellen Biskup, Thrift Store volunteer. "The infant section has clothes for 25 cents. All uniform items are free. Also boy scout and girl scout items are free as well."
The Thrift Store offers more than just clothing for all ages.
"We have books and (compact discs) for a dollar," said Michael Duenas, Thrift Store volunteer. "We also have dishes and silverware."
Shopping at the Thrift Store can offer affordable alternatives to the selection offered by the Marine Corps Exchange, according to Gwen Leckemby, a frequent shopper at the Thrift Store.
"It has a much bigger selection than the exchange," she said. "They have items from out in town and from the states as well, from all over the states."
As well as offering a different choice of items, the Thrift Store offers high quality secondhand items like shoes, according to Leckemby.
"My kids go through shoes so fast. I can go to the Thrift Store and get them practically new shoes. With kids growing so fast they out grow their shoes before they wear them out."
Other items specifically suited for military housing can be found at the Thrift Store.
"The curtain sizes in the housing here are unique," said Leckemby who frequently looks to the Thrift Store before shopping elsewhere. "But I can go to the Thrift Store and find a set that will fit our windows.
Shoppers who buy from the Thrift Store not only get a good deal, they make an investment into their quality of life."
"Everything goes back to the community," said Biskup. "We donate money to organizations like the boy and girl scouts and the enlisted spouses club. So long as it is a legitimate organization we will donate the money to them."
The Thrift Store operates by selling items that are donated to the store. All merchandise donations are accepted in the two donation boxes in front of the store.
"Please place any item you want to donate in the bins," said Tammy Danberry, Thrift Store volunteer. "Anything not placed in the bins can be destroyed by the (elements). Give us good, reusable items. Please don't donate your trash, we have to sort through all the items donated and it's not healthy sorting through trash to get to the pair of jeans you want to donate."
The Thrift Store is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and the last Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.