Extended hours
One Way Farm’s thrift store on River Road now has extended hours:
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Saturdays
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
FAIRFIELD — One Way Farm’s thrift store has doubled in size to offer more items, and operators have extended its hours.
However, bridge work causing a closure on River Road two miles south of One Way Farm may be causing some to believe the store also is closed, said Barb Condo, One Way Farm's executive director.
The bridge project is expected to be completed by Oct. 1.
“That store raises all of our school clothes money,” Condo said.
It also helps with other expenses, such as gas for vehicles.
On June 1, Butler County began the River Road bridge replacement project. However, once the road closure signs went up at the intersection just past Sacred Heart Church, the thrift store’s profits started to decline, Condo said.
The road is closed another two miles past One Way Farm and it’s on-site thrift store. The city allowed a sign at that intersection indicating the thrift store is open.
“We had like a $1,000 a week drop off,” Condo said of the shop proceeds. “It’s because people come and they see that sign that says, ‘road closed.’ ”
The road closure also has affected regular shoppers that come from Ross Twp., Oxford, Okeana and other areas west and southwest of the facility, Condo said.
The thrift store expanded because of all the donations it was receiving, Condo said. But because of the sluggish economy, donations are down, and some regular contributors are either making smaller donations or none at all, she said.
Fairfield Building and Zoning Superintendent Rick Helsinger said city leaders are mindful of the needs of local businesses and nonprofit agencies.
“We’re business-friendly in Fairfield, and we’re concerned that businesses are being put in some undue circumstances with the closure of River Road,” he said.
Helsinger said the city also has allowed extended signage for a fruit stand on Seward Road with that road improvement project.
“We’re trying to help in any way we can with all the businesses in town, whether it be signage or relocation,” he said. “Whatever they need, all they have to do is call us.”
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