Breckenridge Texan

The Stephens County Humane Society resale shop could soon have a new home. On Tuesday night, city commissioners voted to enter into a building facility use agreement with the group to use the Minnie L. (Sis) Clark Building for their resale shop.

The building, located at 210 N. Liveoak, is owned by the City and has been used as the Sis Clark Community Action facility and more recently as the Breckenridge Missions, Inc. Food Bank. Breckenridge City Manager Andy McCuistion said the building was recently vacated by the food bank.

“We tried to fix it up for use as a humane society retail shop that is currently (located) across from the Post Office. They are going to vacate that building,” McCuistion said. “We thought that would be a good use of the building and keep it occupied.”

However, before the building can be used as a thrift store, it will require a zoning change since it is located in area currently not zoned for retail use. That zoning change request is on the agenda for Tuesday night’s planning and zoning commission meeting.

Kathy O’Shields, president, of the Stephens County Humane Society said the organization’s plan is to move the retail store from a building located across the street from the post office downtown to the new location.

She said the store is a good income source for their organization and moving it to the new location will allow them to be open more. Previously, the shop was open only one Saturday a month.

“We’re going to try to open more. We’re going to try to open every Saturday and some more times during the week,” O’Shields said.

She said they are hoping to start accepting donations for the new shop during the first part of December. Once the zoning is approved, they will have access to the building and can get it cleaned up. Then, they will move items from their old location and start accepting new donations.

“We’re very fortunate,” O’Shields said. “People would bring us some really good stuff. It made some good money for us.”

Because of the work required and this being a busy time of the year, it may be the first of the year before they are able to get the new location open.

In McCuistion’s memorandum on the agreement to City Commissioners, he said the city staff recommends the approval of the agreement and that “because the Humane Society contributes, has contributed, and will continue to contribute significantly to welfare of animals in Breckenridge and Stephens County, that service will be considered as rent on the facility.”

According to the agreement, the Humane Society will pay for electric services and the city will provide water, sewer and solid waste services.

Story by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan