Historian's Corner



Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
Historian's Corner
November 11, 2018

The Friendship Shop/Payne Thrift Shop: Information from Peg Manchester

In 1983 the Sandy Creek School nurse and elementary principal (Marilyn Crast and Dick Gilbert) approached the parents group known as PAYNE (Parents Affecting Youth Education) which Manchester was president of at that time, for a spot to store winter coats and under-wear because some students were coming to school without these items. A member of the group Steve Sattler, offered a vacant building. (the old subway shop). The shop was opened just Thursday nights and Friday and Saturday mornings. Donations poured in and soon they out grew the space. Manchester went to the local ministerial association to ask for support. The Rev. Stanley Tanner from the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church was most helpful and in 1984 the thrift shop moved to a small house owned by St. Francis Church in Lacona. Although there was more space business dropped possibly because of the location and in 1986 the group moved to Rt. 11 where they paid rent in the corner building under the stop light. (used car lot) They were back to one room but business picked up and days of operation were increased.

In 1988 they approached the ministers about the cramped space. Father Ray McVey, Father Tony Keefe, the Rev. Earl Smith and the Rev. Janet Gibbs encouraged them to purchase a place of their own. (6046 So. Main Street) St. Francis, St. John’s, Park United Methodist and Sandy Creek United Methodist Church owned the property. The Sandy Creek United Methodist Church loaned the organization money and they held the mortgage until it was paid off. In 1997 a major expansion built the building behind the store and today holds the food pantry. This addition loan was paid off in just six short months. The Friendship shop uses all sales money, after normal expenses (heat, lights, phone, garbage) to assist families in the surrounding communities. These donations are called “love donations.” Families receiving them may have experienced a house fire, a tragic accident, death of a child, prolonged hospitalization or prolonged illness that require frequent trips to the city for treatments. The Friendship Shop also provides Christmas baskets of food and gifts to families in the Sandy Creek School district. The Sandy Creek pantry is a member of the Oswego County Food Pantry Association and the CNY Food Bank.

Charlene Cole
Sandy Creek/Lacona Historian
1992 Harwood Drive
Sandy Creek, NY 13145
315-387-5456 x7
Office hours: Friday 9am to 2pm
www.sandycreeknyhistory.com