Cheapo Depo to host another "donation only" sale, inside this time

Linton's Cheapo Depot will try another "donation only" sale next weekend, but will keep the inventory indoors, aiming to avoid the theft -- and controversy -- which followed September's tent sale.

"We're going to keep it all inside this time," said volunteer worker Louise Sullivan. "We want to avoid the hassle we had last time."

Problems arose after a woman allegedly took items after hours from a sidewalk sale's tent.

While the secondhand store's workers and management had emphasized donations would be accepted, the store's sale also had set hours. The taking of the items after those hours, when the tent had been closed off, spurred the arrest.

Jamie Dee Dyer -- now Jamie Dee Hollifield -- faced a class D felony theft charge for taking items from the store's outdoor tent after hours during their initial sale.

However, that charge was dismissed Nov. 14.

This second attempt at the sale will be held indoors at the store's 60 S.E. A St. location, Sullivan said

The hours will run March 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and March 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sullivan said the store may remove some items, such as new candles and decor, prior to the sale.

"We get a lot of donations, but some things I also buy at auction," she said. "It's hard to buy things at a good price that allows us to turn around and sell them at a good price, too."

Donations of clothes, furniture and other items are also always welcome, she said, but should occur during regular business hours.

While items are free to those in need, freewill donations are preferred, of course, said organizers. They'll help defray costs associated with sending several church women to the United Pentecostal Churches of Indiana District Conference in Indianapolis.

Sullivan, a volunteer worker at Cheapo Depot, said the donation-only sale's a great chance to help those in need while raising money for the effort.

Those in need can pick up clothes, books and other household gear, paying what they like -- or nothing at all.

The Cheapo Depot is located just north of the Linton Post Office in a brick building which formerly housed a laundromat.

It offers a variety of low-priced items, with profits funding the church's food bank and other community ministry outreach efforts.

The shop also assists those whose homes have burned, and those down on their luck in such instances can receive three sets of clothing for each family member, the record shows.

Some donations are also delivered to West Terre Haute's Promise Land Apostolic Church, 2400 Silvan Rd., which partners with Bibleway.