Rainier Thrift and Gift, the former Bonney Lake store managed by the Rainier School and staffed by clients, will reopen in Buckley March 1.

The store was previously housed in a state Route 410 shopping complex Bonney Lake, in the space now occupied by Goodwill. It shut down in July 2009 after the lease exceeded what the state was willing to pay.

But it was a popular stop for customers, manager Beth Kilmer said.

“We were very successful in our previous location,” she said. “I still have about 500 contacts from customers who e-mailed us that they were disappointed that we had to close.”

Rainier Thrift and Gift sold a blend of donated, gently-used goods and artisan crafts made on site at Rainier School. Artisan items include Adirondack furniture, stepping stones and decorative garden items.

The thrift store was and will be used again as a training site for clients of Rainier School.

“They develop customer service skills with the community,” Kilmer said. “Every part of the retail process: cleaning, merchandising, cash register, pricing.

“I’m feeling excitement. We’re so ready to be out here again. When I told clients, their faces lit up. They really missed being out here in the community.”

The move into Buckley Business Park began Feb. 1.

The new location is 28120 SR 410 East, Suite D7.

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