Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects worked diligently with Community Aid to create a thrift store that doesn’t feel like one.
As design and construction of the Community Aid store in York County proceeded, Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects did what it so often does — worked with the client to make updates to improve the final project.
“There is a lot of anticipation for this opening,” says Architect Ryan Shank.
Because of this, Shank says, he and his team considered how the store would fit in with its community and how it will be viewed by community members who shop here.
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The Community Aid store, set to open Oct. 24, will be located in the space of the former Bon-Ton store – and before that Mailman’s Department Store – in the Queensgate Shopping Center. Because of that, Shank knows shoppers will have expectations.
“When it was Bon-Ton, there were many interior partitions. It was cut up and clustered,” Shank says. “This store will be very wide open and clean, organized and refined. Shoppers will be able to see different sections from all locations.”
Consumer friendly updates
As design and construction went forward, M&D worked with Community Aid officials to make sure this store will meet company and community expectations.
“We replaced the storefront, the front glass wall of the store, as we found it wasn’t as structurally sound as believed,” he notes.
M&D also worked with the owners to enlarge the canopy for the rear drop off area and changed it to steel construction so people can drop off and unload items under cover. That’s important for a store that depends on donations to be able to provide quality merchandise at affordable prices, Shank says.
The firm also put in curbs to protect the drop off area from the traffic lane to make the area more people friendly.
Interior touch ups
Community Aid’s goal is to operate a thrift store that doesn’t feel like one, and M&D worked diligently on the interior appearance to meet this objective.
“The store is going to be very large and very bright, with both natural and artificial light,” Shank says. “Merchandise will be easy to see. The store will have a clean look. We’ve added pops of color, including various plastic laminate panels and natural wood floors.”
The key point where consumers make their purchases will be special, too.
“The transaction counter will be made of recycled glass with a concrete countertop and have wood panels with plastic laminate along the base,” Shank says.
Big store, big offerings
This Community Aid location will be 36,000 square feet, which the company says makes it the second-largest thrift store in the country. In addition to clothing, shoppers will peruse furniture, sporting goods, housewares, and a book section.
A small café is also included in the back of the store, Shank notes. Shoppers here can get a snack or coffee, he says, believing this adds to the comfortable ambience of the space.
Through the modifications to the original plans, M&D has worked to make this store something that will enhance the entire community, Shank says.
“It will be a destination for people to come and shop.”
The memorial’s groundbreaking took place in June, and the dedication is set to take place on November 11, 2024, or Veterans Day.