In the wake of a great loss for Sharpsburg, neighbors came together to respond to the closing of the community’s beloved thrift store. The former thrift store was not only an essential access point to affordable goods for the community’s residents, but was also a place where locals frequented to meet one another. Concerned community members responded by forming a new organization, purchasing a property, and undertaking a major renovation to transform the existing building into a site that ensured dignity in the second-hand goods retail experience. The pandemic struck but it only deepened the community’s commitment to bringing a welcoming space that served the essential needs of all Sharpsburg’s residents.

Since its inception, Second Harvest has worked hard to live out its mission: they seek to meet the material and relational needs of their community by providing quality goods at affordable prices. Second Harvest engages a diverse family of employees and volunteers to accept gently used clothing, housewares, and furniture from within the community and sell them at affordable prices where it is needed most.

Through thoughtful detailing and economical interventions, the renovation of Second Harvest's new building focused on the flexibility for the space to adapt to meet the communities needs over time. Through selective demolition and strategic investments, the interior space was given access to natural light and the outdoor areas were activated with amenities.