Store’s focus – community outreach

If you’re shopping for items at unbelievably low prices, be sure to check out the resale shop, Woodward & Gillis, at 429 E. Mill St., Plymouth, offering the sale of both new and gently used items.

Co-owners Elaine Woodie and Jennifer Gill, friends who reside in New Holstein, opened the shop on June 1, to assist area residents in these current, tough economic times.

“Our items are priced as low as we can price them,” Woodie said, pointing out a group of tins, at 10 cents each and another table with 25-cent products, such as coffee cups, measuring cups, thermos jugs and Halloween decorations.

Woodie and Gill met as co-workers at American Home Nursing in New Holstein four years ago. Gill was a scheduler there, while Woodie ran the medical-supply store, affiliated with the firm.

When American Home Nursing went out of business last year, and their families’ salaries took a hit, the two friends discussed the frustrations they experienced, as they shopped for food and other essentials for their families, with their reduced family incomes.

“It was so irritating,” Gill recalled. “No matter where we want to shop, things were more and more expensive, even at many of the resale stores.”

So, the Woodie and Gill decided to open a store that would be a type of community-outreach, assisting those who faced circumstances similar to their own. After searching for a building for their shop in various cities, they discovered their present location – a building that Chris and Ed Lorenz own. It was formerly occupied by a second-hand children’s clothing business.

Woodward & Gillis offers a wide variety of items, except for clothing. Among the new items are art works – ink drawings, wood works and wood-burning items that Gary Woodie, Woodie's husband, creates. There are also greeting cards, gift bags and gift wrap, all priced at $1.

A large selection of Mad Magazines, Beanie babies, dinnerware and books are among the gently used items available at the store, as well as 50-cent puzzles.

A baby crib and mattress in mint condition were featured at Woodward & Gillis on Sept. 24 for just $25 and a toddler bed and mattress, for only $20.

“We clean everything, before we put it out on the floor,” Woodie said, walking among the neatly arranged displays.

Woodie is no stranger to business ownership. From 2002-04, she and her husband co-owned Lanadoones, a New Holstein-based variety store.

“But I left the business, when I was hired by American Home Nursing,” she said.

The Woodward & Gillis co-owners explained how they obtain items for their inventory.

“Some people donate things to us,” Woodie said. “And we clean out homes, following a death, after the family members have taken what they want. Or if someone moves into a nursing home or assisted-living facility, their families let us take some of the remaining things. And we also pick up items after rummage sales.”

The back of the Woodward & Gillis business card reads, “Are you tired of all the clutter in your back room or closet? Is your attic or basement full of unused items? Do you dread cleaning up after your rummage sale?

“Call us. We will pick up items you no longer need, free of charge.”

The co-owners say they enjoy the friendliness of the Plymouth community. “And I like working with Jennifer,” said Woodie, mother of two adult children.

“This is a fun place to work, and our inventory is always changing.”

Gill agreed. “We work well together, and I like the flexibility of the hours, since I have three children at home, so if I need to be with them on occasion, Elaine takes over.”

Woodie and Gill welcome area students to complete community-service hours at their store. “They can help us with dusting, painting, shoveling, washing windows, vacuuming and stocking shelves,” Gill said.

Woodward and Gillis will offer moonlight hours on the first Saturday of each month. Meanwhile, the co-owners are planning a grand opening of their store, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17. Refreshments will be served. And the owners will award a door prize.

Note: For additional information, phone 898-4052 or 286-2187.