Since its origins in 2017, the Orange Avenue Market has become a haven for artists, food vendors, and crafters to display and sell their finest wares. And now, an area nonprofit is opening a pop-up thrift store at Orange Avenue, one set to benefit people in need.
The Jericho Road Ministries Pop-Up Thrift Shop will be open for business at the Orange Avenue Market on May 8 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Mountaineer Coffee.
The mission for the Jericho Road Ministries is to operate shelters, recovery programs, food distribution and social enterprises to ensure that all people are treated with dignity, honor and love. To date, Jericho Road has provided 2,514 shelter nights, distributed 50,692 pounds of food, and helped 591 households. Helping them reach these goals are the “four thrift stores that directly fund feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and helping the hurting.”
With two locations in Spring Hill (15000 County Line Road and Winchester Plaza, 5260 Commercial Way), one in Brooksville (16479 Wiscon Road) and one in Ridge Manor (Sunrise Plaza, 31170 Cortez Blvd.), these thrift stores carry a wide spectrum of items, the sales of all of which go to support Jericho’s mission.
Beyond the organization’s brick and mortar thrift store, its pop-up stores can be seen at events around the community. “We started doing our pop-up thrift shop at Friday Night Live as a vendor tent in October 2020. We offer a selection of clothing, records, and some housewares to purchase. The proceeds go to supporting our ministry just like our normal stores. We also have information available about our ministry.” said Amanda McCann, VP of Development & Recruitment, Jericho Road Ministries, Inc. “At Orange Avenue we will be doing the same thing,” she said.
About 700 visitors are expected to attend Orange Avenue, a small town market featuring local makers, artisans, and small businesses. “The goal of Orange Avenue is to create a family-friendly event that brings the community together to support local artists and businesses. The talent in the Hernando and surrounding Tampa Bay area is something special. Darby (owner of Mountaineer Coffee) and I truly enjoy the opportunity to help showcase the incredible folks in our area,” said Allisa Babor, Founder of Roots Creative Co. Roots co-hosts the event with Mountaineer Coffee. Babor also is pleased to showcase a local nonprofit that helps so many. “We are so happy to have Jericho and see what they bring!” she said.
Aside from appearing at Orange Avenue, the Jericho Road pop-up thrift shop also will ‘pop up’ Friday, May 14, at 6 pm EDT – 9:30 pm EDT at Friday Night Live, 205 E. Fort Dade Avenue in Brooksville. The Friday Night Live Concert Series is now entering its 3rd year here in historic downtown Brooksville, and features live music, local eats, games in the park, a full bar, and an artisan market. This family friendly event has free admission.
Event organizer Natalie Kahler, Brooksville Main Street Executive Director, feels that the Jericho Road Pop-Up Shop marks an important presence at Friday Night Live. “As a nonprofit ourselves, we know that it’s essential for a healthy community that people know where they can turn for help and support. At the pop-up shop, they can distribute information about their services, draw volunteers, and get funding for their services,” she said. Amanda McCann agrees, “We love being able to give people a glimpse of our stores and how our ministry serves the community,” she said.
