In March, Charlotte Davidson, owner of Village Resale, bid goodbye to the small brick building beside the post office with its view of Gales Ferry Cemetery. Over the next weeks, she moved her business a short distance to a better spot. It reopened at 6 Hurlbutt Road in May.
The store’s new building, situated across the road from the abandoned Gales Ferry School, is actually an old building. It looks like a church, and for good reason. Built in 1857, it was once home to the Gales Ferry Methodist Church. The congregation moved to its current location on Chapman Lane in 1972.
After that, the building became a crematorium, home of the National Cremation Service.
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The old church was purchased last year by John Phetteplace, who removed the pews and renovated the structure for commercial use.
It is adapting well to its new purpose. “This was just a better location and a better building for us,” Davidson said. “Business has been steadier.”
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It took a bit of work to get it ready. “It was in good condition, but it needed painting and carpets… Just needed freshening up,” she said.
In business for 17 years
Between locations, Davidson has managed Village Resale for 17 years.
“A lady was selling her business, and my husband decided this was the perfect job for me,” she said. Although she took over the store reluctantly at first, she said she likes it more now. “It’s enjoyable,” she said.
Village Resale is a consignment shop. “They bring things in, and if they sell, they get money for it,” Davidson said. The shop advertises clothes, jewelry, and furniture, but in truth all kinds of things pass through its doors.
“We’ve had lawnmowers. We’ve had rototillers,” she said. When bulky items take too much space to stay inside, they stay outdoors. “I put it outside, and tell them if it doesn’t sell by tonight, they have to come pick it up, and it always sells.”
The store’s small staff is a tight-knit group. “We’re like a family. We all work well together,” Davidson said. “If I can’t come in, they all jump in.” All the work is done by a staff of three, including Davidson herself.
One employee, Nancy Hayes, has worked for Village Resale since 2002. “I love working here,” she said, “And I love working here since we moved, because of the expansion… and the newness of it.”
Village Resale is open six days a week. Their hours are: Monday - Friday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.
