On a typical weekday afternoon, stepping into Thrift 2 Gift in east Cary is an experience that goes beyond mere shopping. Proprietor George King’s warm greetings, calling customers by name and offering a welcoming handshake, immediately set the tone for a unique thrift store. For regular visitors, these personal interactions are a testament to the store’s ethos. Founded by George, his wife Nicolette, and their friend Debbie Dillon, Thrift 2 Gift has, over its four years of operation, become more than just a retail space; it’s a community hub built on genuine connection.
“You get to see and meet and love people from every part of the world that you would never have been exposed to — ever,” George explains, his passion for people evident. “Here we get to serve them. We get to serve everybody from every nation, every religion, and we serve them all the same. It’s amazing to see their reaction when they are treated well.” This philosophy of customer appreciation is intrinsically linked to the store’s overarching mission. Thrift 2 Gift Cary is an integral part of Seeds of Mustard Ministries, a faith-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children and families facing hardship through financial aid and essential resources. While local non-profit groups are the primary recipients of their generosity today, the journey began with a different focus.
A Thrift Store with a Mission
Seeds of Mustard Ministries operates with a clear vision: to channel resources into community support through the revenue generated by Thrift 2 Gift. This structure allows the thrift store to function not just as a business but as a continuous engine for community betterment. The faith-based foundation of the ministry underscores its commitment to service and compassion, principles that are palpable within the store’s welcoming atmosphere. By choosing to shop or donate at Thrift 2 Gift, customers directly contribute to a larger network of aid and support that extends throughout Cary and beyond.
Tragedy to Triumph: The Origin Story
The inception of Seeds of Mustard Ministries is rooted in a profound personal tragedy. In September 2009, while on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic, George and Nicolette King received devastating news: George’s 16-year-old son, David, had passed away in a car accident in Colorado. This life-altering event became the catalyst for a mission that would touch countless lives.
Returning to the United States amidst their grief, the Kings were deeply moved by the stark poverty they had witnessed in the Dominican Republic. In David’s memory, they established a fund aimed at supporting vulnerable children in the Dominican Republic. “When David died, the world turned upside-down, and it took us a while to get our feet grounded,” George recalls. “But we set up a mission fund, because we were so moved by the things we saw in the Dominican Republic.”
Shortly after, Debbie Dillon experienced her own loss with the unexpected passing of her mother. She requested that memorial contributions be directed to the Kings’ mission fund, further fueling their nascent charity. Support then broadened as Apex Baptist Church and Grace Christian School offered to organize fundraisers. Unexpectedly, the Kings found themselves at the helm of a burgeoning charitable endeavor.
Initially, their ambitions for Seeds of Mustard Ministries were expansive. “When we first started, we had this huge plan. We wanted to do everything,” Nicolette shares. “We wanted to be a community center. We wanted to have doctors come in, clinics. We wanted to have classes, just everything.” However, as their non-profit’s objectives became clearer, the necessity for a sustainable funding mechanism became apparent, leading them to a practical solution.
Community-Focused and Customer-Centric
The Kings realized they didn’t need to invent a new charitable model. “We realized that we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. There are all these organizations that are already out there but don’t have a funding model,” Nicolette explained. This realization sparked the idea for Thrift 2 Gift as a means to consistently generate funds for community support.
Opening a thrift store presented itself as the most effective strategy to gather funds for the numerous community groups needing assistance. To secure initial capital, George approached ten local business owners, requesting $2,500 from each—an amount deliberately chosen to be accessible. Remarkably, George recounts, “I didn’t get a no.” This resounding support from the local business community underscored the collective desire to contribute to a meaningful cause.
Thrift ‘n Gift, as it was initially named, opened its doors in a modest 2,000-square-foot space on Maynard Road in March 2011. Within two years, however, the burgeoning success of the venture made it clear that expansion was necessary.
In August 2013, Thrift 2 Gift relocated to its current, significantly larger premises at 900 E. Chatham St. The 20,000-square-foot building, formerly occupied by Nowell’s Contemporary Furniture, provided ample space for growth. Today, George, as the sole full-time employee, along with six part-time staff and a dedicated team of volunteers, manages the bustling operation.
Giving Back to Cary: Supporting Local Non-Profits
Cover of Cary Magazine May 2015 issue featuring articles about local Cary businesses and community events
A unique aspect of Thrift 2 Gift’s volunteer program is its collaboration with the court system. “A slew of volunteers comes from the court system,” Nicolette mentions. “Many of the volunteers are doing community service hours, and it’s interesting what you’ll run into and the chance you have to really minister to young teens or older teens or young adults.” This not only provides essential manpower for the store but also offers opportunities for positive engagement and guidance for volunteers.
From September 2013 to January 2015, Thrift 2 Gift contributed nearly $45,000 in cash and in-kind donations to the community. Recipients are carefully selected non-profit organizations lacking consistent revenue streams, focusing on addressing root problems rather than just providing immediate, short-term relief.
Among the beneficiaries are impactful local groups such as:
- The Church in the Woods
- Hand of Hope
- Haven House
- Hope Connection
- Meet the Needs
- Veterans Helping Veterans
- Women’s Prison Ministry
Expanding the Vision: A Model for Community Thrift
Looking ahead, the Kings envision expanding their unique model of customer-centric, community-focused thrift stores to other locations. The renaming of the store to Thrift 2 Gift was a strategic step in realizing this broader ambition. Nicolette articulates their vision with a compelling question: “If each market had its own store that was giving back to that community, what would that community look like?”
This expansion concept underscores their commitment to creating a ripple effect of community betterment. Even if their reach remains within the Triangle area, the Kings are assured of the significant positive impact Thrift 2 Gift has had on countless lives through their dedicated work.
More Than Just Shopping: Ministry and Community Impact
Beyond the financial contributions, the most rewarding aspect for the Kings is the daily personal ministry that organically arises within the store. “The most rewarding part has to be the daily ministry that happens when you just pray with somebody in the corner, because you felt like you were supposed to ask a certain question that opened a floodgate,” Nicolette reflects. “There’s nothing like that.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of Thrift 2 Gift – it is a place where community needs are met, both materially and spiritually, fostering a truly unique and impactful presence in Cary.
Thrift 2 Gift
900 E. Chatham St., Cary
(919) 651-0482, seedsofmustard.org
