AMMON — Deseret Industries, a nonprofit chain of thrift stores featuring vocational training and donation processing, will open a new retail store later this month in Ammon at 2885 E. 17th St.. It is a relocation of its current store in Idaho Falls. Deseret Industries has been operating in Idaho Falls since 1974, employing and training hundreds of community residents over the four decades.

The new thrift store opens March 22, with a three-day Grand Opening celebration from March 22-24, including a ribbon cutting with city leaders, music, a balloon artist, and giveaways. 

“We’re excited to be expanding our presence in the area,” said store manager Aaron Kelley. “We believe our customers will enjoy the greater merchandise offerings and easier donation process, but most importantly, the larger store allows us to hire more associates and provide training and educational resources to more area residents. We exist to change lives and with the help of the community, we’re doing just that.”

The new Ammon location is approximately 48,000-square-feet and will employ 14 full-time employees and 105 store associates as part of its career-training program. Associates develop skills and obtain certifications enabling them to advance to permanent, full-time employment in a variety of fields and careers. The location will also include an LDS Family Services facility.

As a thrift store, Deseret Industries offers tens of thousands of gently used items, with thousands of new goods placed on store shelves each day.  Affordable, quality secondhand merchandise includes everything from clothing and shoes to furniture, home décor, toys and games, sports equipment and much more.

“We receive donations covering every possible household need,” said Deseret Industries marketing manager Brooke Yates. “And with thousands of items added to the inventory daily, it’s a treasure hunt each time our customers visit. We often have people lined up outside our stores as we open each morning.” There are 43 Deseret Industries stores throughout the western U.S. 

The new Ammon store includes a multi-lane, covered drive-thru donation bay, providing an enhanced donation experience. Donations are received daily, except on Sundays, and all donations are tax-deductible. Items not sold in the store may be used for humanitarian relief or recycled.

Deseret Industries also provides some newly manufactured, low-priced merchandise for its shoppers, including new suits and dress shirts for men, new coats for adults and children, new mattresses and bedding, and solid wood furniture including bedframes, dressers, tables and chairs.

The Ammon store offers extended operating hours, opening daily at 10 a.m. and closing Mondays at 6 p.m. and Tuesdays through Saturdays at 9 p.m. The store is closed Sundays. The donation bay opens daily at 8 a.m., also closing Mondays at 6 p.m. and Tuesdays through Saturdays at 9 p.m. It is closed Sundays.