The Good Samaritan Thrift Store
As the name implies , The Good Samaritan strives more for community outreach than making a profit . Aside from paying for the occasional bill , all proceeds of the ministry-based , nonprofit go towards aiding those less fortunate in the community .
“( Good Samaritan ) gives to the homeless , the helpless , children , anyone in need , house fire victims , domestic violence and abuse victims , and Bethany House . We pretty much give to everybody and anybody that comes through our doors ,” said Jordan Burks , one of the store ’ s managers . “ We want to make sure that they are loved , taken care of , cared for , and know that at the end of the day , they have a place they can come to if they need help .”
Additionally , the store is the sole supporter and provider for Jordan ’ s Crossing , a sober men ’ s recovery home in Somerset . Not only does Good Samaritan financially aid the housing facility , but it also allows its residents to build their job skills while giving back to the community through working in the store .
Throughout their nine years of operation , Good Samaritan didn ’ t see themselves building a clientele , but rather a community , the members of which they deem as their “ Good Sammers .”
“ If ( customers ) are in need , then they know that we ’ re going to be here to help in any way that we can ,” said the store ’ s director Angie Gates . “ Generally , it ’ s through clothing , furniture , whatever we have in the store . Once we started focusing more on God and the community , ( the store ) just expanded .”
“ In 2024 , I think one of the greatest needs is person-to-person contact ,” added Burks . “ I always say we want you to come in and shop , but it ’ s also a lot of just saying hello and knowing that you ’ re cared for and loved . That ’ s the whole meaning of Good Samaritan .”
Having been one of the first tenants in the area , Burnside had become Good Samaritan ’ s home . After such a long run , as Gates puts it , “ God had other plans .” What was remembered as a beautiful day prior would soon turn into a night of devastation , one of which still brings Gates to tears to this day .
“ This store had become my life ,” said Amanda Rosengrant , another one of the store ’ s managers . Good Samaritan had become a home to her , especially after her own personal experience with a house fire . “ That night , I got a call from Angie and it was like watching my life burn . I think it was worse than watching my own house burn down .”
The days that followed consisted of cleaning up debris and throwing out an entire inventory ’ s worth of burnt products , all while the insurance didn ’ t cover even half of the losses . As dark of a time it was for the team behind Good Samaritan , a light still shined through from the community that they had built .
“ During that time , I think one of the greatest things that came out of that was seeing how when we were helping the community , the community came right back and helped us ,” Burks said . For several months , Good Samaritan was able to build itself back up through countless prayers , donations , and volunteer efforts — one in particular that stood out to Burks being when a crew of people deepcleaned a trailer full of clothes hangers by taking them through a car wash .
Eventually , the store was able to find a new home in the Tradewind Shopping Center . “ Eventually , and we ’ ve not stopped looking , there will be a bigger place that comes along ,” Gates added . “ This is just where God wanted us for some reason .” Despite not having as much space as they did at the previous location , Good Samaritan is still eager to take on a new area of the county while utilizing every inch of space they ’ ve been given .
Through the hardships they ’ ve faced and those yet to come , it ’ s been the faith behind Good Samaritan that ’ s kept them afloat . While the organization has always stood by its mission statement , they felt it especially shone through during these challenging times — “ God is in this story .”
The Barn Flea Market
The flea market community was a thriving one in Burnside , especially with the presence of The Barn Flea Market owned by Jody Greer . When she entered the competitive market , she strove to create an outlet that offered affordable and available options for vendors and customers alike . In just two-and-a-half years , The Barn quickly built up a thriving clientele , consisting of both locals and tourists .
After dedicating so much time to the business , the Greer family decided to take a vacation to Panama City , Fla . Little did they know that their relaxing getaway would soon be abruptly ruined by the event that transpired .
“ I think we were down there for three days ,” Greer recalled , “ and we got a phone call a little after midnight that The Barn was on fire . So we packed up and came home to nothing . It was gone . Everything .”
When the flames engulfed the business , its vendors not only faced the loss of their stalls , but the possible disintegration of their livelihoods . No one sympathized with this more than the store-owner herself , as she felt that she not only lost her business , but her “ way of life .”
“ It was hard because it didn ’ t just involve me , it involved 100 vendors ,” she said , “ so , of course , I felt responsible .”
Even after the fire , her battle only continued , as she faced financial struggles , dealt with insurance and acquiring loans , and looked for a suitable location to call The Barn ’ s new home . “ Emotionally , physically , and mentally it took a toll on me ,” she added . “ It seemed no matter where I turned , the doors were always closed .”
Through these challenges , she remained resilient and the outpouring of support from the community paved the way for a new beginning , which Greer says is when “ God started opening doors .” Eventually , she came across a vacant building that was once a Family Dollar in Eubank Plaza , which was referred to her by a previous vendor . Despite feeling hesitant about re-opening in unfamiliar territory , the financial and moral support of her friends and family inspired her to acquire it and begin anew .
JUNE 2024 SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life • 7