The Ground Floor: Cedar Rapids store works to help here and abroad

What began as a drop-in center program for youth in Richhill, County Armagh, Ireland, more than 20 years ago has grown to include humanitarian work overseas - and the opening of a secondhand retail store here in Cedar Rapids called the Drop Inn.

Located on the lower level of Westdale Mall, the store accepts usable donations from clothing to household furniture to fund mission-driven, charitable programs in Eastern Iowa as well as Africa, India, the Philippines and Thailand.

“Fifty percent of the store's profits remain here in Cedar Rapids, and the other 50 percent is sent overseas to fund projects in places like Africa, India,” said Darryl Gregerson, the store's general manager.

Gregerson said the idea for the resale shop came about after Daniel Winn, the pastor of Cedar Rapids Family Church, visited Ireland.

“Pastor Daniel saw the stores firsthand and their ability to create substantial revenue for missions projects here and abroad, so he came back to Iowa believing this was something we could do, met with the church, formed a board, and here we are,” he said.

“We opened here at Westdale in June 2012, and we've had an amazing and loyal response from people.”

Gregerson, the only paid staff member, was a chiropractor for 18 years before he decided to go back to school to prepare for this ministry position. Volunteer workers make up the rest of the staff.

We have 18 volunteers right now,” he said. “The average person probably works 8 to 12 hours a month in the store.”

The store accepts secondhand items for resale and will pick up large items or furniture.

The Drop Inn's current project, referred to as the House, is slated to open in June. Adjacent to the church, at 5335 Midway Drive NW, the House will be an after-school program venue for children in the neighboring area.

“We've completely redone the roof and exterior as well as added fresh landscaping,” Gregerson said, adding that they're currently developing the interior layout.

The House will be staffed with tutors to assist children with homework.

“There'll be a bank of computers and printers for the children to use for homework purposes,” Gregerson pointed out, “and we'll also have fun educational games and programming for when the children have completed their homework while they wait for their parents to pick them up.”

AT A GLANCE

• Manager: Darryl Gregerson
• Company: Drop Inn Resale Store/Iowa
• Address: Westdale Mall, near Younkers, Cedar Rapids
• Phone: (319) 396-3164
• Website: http://www.dropinn.net
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Friday.

Know a company in business for less than a year, or who has started a line, that would be great for “The Ground Floor”? Contact business editor Michael Chevy Castranova, michael.castranova@sourcemedia.net