Urbana thrift shop Twice is Nice doesn’t just feel like a store; it feels like grandma’s house, a place to take refuge in on a cold winter’s day and abandon the stresses of the outside world. Both staff and customers alike love doing just that, praising the repurposed home for its welcoming atmosphere.
Founded in 2008 by the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, the store’s mission is to give back to the Champaign-Urbana community. The church started the store to support local social service agencies, like the Boys and Girls Club, Solidarity Gardens, Crisis Nursery and Habitat for Humanity. Half of the shop’s proceeds are donated to these agencies, among others, while the other half is used to maintain the house.
Through its philanthropy, cozy environment and friendly staff, Twice is Nice spreads kindness and generosity throughout the C-U area.
Melissa Records, operations manager of Twice is Nice and church employee, attests to the store’s mission of giving back. She said that the church aimed to offer affordable products for C-U residents.
Records believes the store’s environment is also important to the church.
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“The store is really a place for community members to get together and feel welcomed,” Records said. “I love its personality and spirit.”
Records feels that the store’s customers are partially responsible for this warm atmosphere.
“Everybody here is from different walks of life, and I think it’s a safer place to be in,” Records said.
Records also believes the staff plays a part in making the shop feel inviting. She said that they are sure to greet customers when they come in, providing a more personal experience than that of a Salvation Army or Goodwill.
In return, the community backs the store with their support. According to Records, the store’s sales, donations and customers have all increased over time.
It’s not just the customers that keep the store in business — volunteers are one of the store’s cornerstones.
Volunteer Camille Caldwell’s job is to organize, price and locate items for customers. A member of the church, Caldwell wasn’t initially excited to volunteer. However, once she began working and witnessed the camaraderie of everyone involved, she changed her mind.
“It feels really good when something’s a team effort,” Caldwell said. “It’s not just about you, it’s about everybody. The whole idea of this place giving back to the community was what we were working for.”
Avah Hitchcock, junior in AHS, went shopping at Twice is Nice for the first time on Saturday. She said she loved the store due to its “cute” atmosphere and reasonable prices.
“It’s very homey, very nice, very welcoming,” Hitchcock said. “Everyone’s very sweet.”
This thrift store feels like a home, and not just because it’s in a house. It’s a place for the people, and the people have spoken — Twice is Nice is a sanctuary for scavengers.
