Salvation Army Thrift Store to Open in St. Joseph at Former Jo-Ann Fabrics Location

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Salvation Army is preparing to open a new thrift store in St. Joseph this fall, bringing a new place for residents to shop for affordable secondhand items while supporting addiction recovery programs in the region.

The store will be located at 603 N. Belt Highway, inside the former Jo-Ann Fabrics location.

The new Salvation Army thrift store is scheduled to officially open on Oct. 23, 2026.

Captain Wendy Meyer-Bautista with the Salvation Army said purchases and donations made through the store will help support the organization's Adult Rehabilitation Center in Kansas City.

The center, located at 1351 E. 10th Street in Kansas City, provides a faith-based residential recovery program for men working to overcome alcohol and drug addiction.

Thrift Store Will Help Fund Addiction Recovery Program

The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center is designed to give participants structure and support as they work toward recovery and eventually return to their families and communities.

The program lasts approximately six months, or 180 days, and is provided at no cost to the men who participate.

During their stay, participants receive housing, clothing, meals and other assistance while completing the recovery program.

Meyer-Bautista, who has worked with the Salvation Army for 16 years, said one of the most meaningful parts of the work is watching participants rebuild relationships that may have been damaged by addiction.

She said the organization has seen men who entered the program after losing nearly everything eventually return home and resume their roles as fathers, brothers, uncles and grandparents.

Recovery, however, does not always happen on the first attempt.

Meyer-Bautista said one of the challenges staff members face is helping participants who may not yet be fully prepared to commit to the recovery process. Even when someone leaves before completing the program, she said the Salvation Army's doors remain open if that person decides to seek help again.

Grand Opening Planned for Oct. 23

The new St. Joseph location will give local residents another place to donate clothing, household goods and other usable items while also providing shoppers with access to affordable merchandise.

Meyer-Bautista said she hopes the community will visit the store when it opens and take a look at the variety of items available.

Donations from St. Joseph residents will also play an important role in keeping the store stocked and supporting the Salvation Army's rehabilitation efforts.

Money generated through Salvation Army thrift stores helps fund programs such as the Adult Rehabilitation Center, allowing participants to receive services without being charged for their stay.

The St. Joseph Salvation Army thrift store is scheduled to celebrate its grand opening on Oct. 23 at 603 N. Belt Highway.