Bargain Basket Breaks Ground

A sunny day and pleasant temperatures greeted a crowd of around 100 supporters and well-wishers, including four city council members and interim city manager Casey Lucius, who gathered at the Bargain Basket on Sunday afternoon, November 23, for the groundbreaking for the popular thrift store’s expansion and renovation. Darrin Palumbo, Tamara Goehler, Bonita Schwan, and Deb Henry were the city council members in attendance.  

Tim Smith, chair of the board of trustees and Bargain Basket development committee, addressed the onlookers before shovels were placed in the dirt. 

“This project has long been in the planning process,” Smith said. "The expansion and renovation of the Bargain Basket will increase the safety for customers and volunteers, improve the donation drop-off process, and greatly enhance the donation processing system.” 

Customers will be happy to know that expanded parking is in the works. 

"We will also be constructing a 32-space parking lot,” Smith said.  "This process took 18 months to get to where we are today. The construction process will start on December 2, and it will take approximately until today in 2026 to cut the ribbon to reopen the store."