R.C.H. Thrift Owner Aims to Give Back to the Community

The owner of the new thrift shop at the intersection of Tilton Road and the White Horse Pike prides herself on quality, service and giving back to the community. Her husband was born and raised in the rapidly growing township, and she spent a few years living in Galloway.

So not only was it easy for Rhonda Heuser, 46, to pick a location for R.C.H. Thrift, but the public has responded in kind.

“People have come in and told me this place has a ‘homey’ atmosphere,” Heuser said, adding that residents have noted how clean the store is. “And we’ve had a good rapport with everyone who has come in here. We’ve had about 10 to 20 people in here every day. Some people want to come in and see what it looks like. Browsers and opinions are welcome.”

Heuser said her store is a reflection of her personality, including the organization.

“I don’t want to have clutter,” Heuser said. “I want people to be able to see everything.”

R.C.H., located at 714 West White Horse Pike in Galloway, offers a variety of items, from furniture to foosball tables, books, magazines, baby clothes and toys children can take home for free.

“Every clock works, every candleholder has a candle,” Heuser said. “ … I’ve been a victim. I’ve taken home a clock and it doesn’t work, but it’s yours, and you can’t return it. I take pride in what I sell.”

Heuser estimates that between 85 and 90 percent of the merchandise in her store was made in America.

“That’s important because this is our kids’ future,” said Heuser, who has two children who are now in their 20’s.

Heuser said she only had “one yard sale” in her entire life before opening her store on Feb. 13.

“I like antiques, and I want to make sure everyone gets quality,” Heuser said.

She started off by going to state sales and has received some donations from members of the community.

She’s appreciative of a town that has been helpful to her as she got her business off the ground, and next month, a percentage of her sales will go to local charities. In March, she plans to raise money to donate to Germania Fire Company. She plans to raise money for other fire companies and youth sports organizations after that.

“We want to help the fire departments, little league, and youth football,” said her husband Mike, 44, who played sports while he was growing up in the township. “We want to go to the council meetings and present the donations in public so people know the money was spent properly and not stolen.”

Mike Heuser is returning the support his wife showed him while he was running his auto repair shop and his towing company by helping her get her business up and running.

He’s helping move merchandise into the store while learning all that he can about selling the products online. In addition to the physical storefront, the Heuser’s intend to sell their products in an online store somewhere down the line. He’s also working on their Facebook page.

It’s been a lot of work for both of them. Rhonda Heuser is up at 4:30 in the morning working, and keeps going until 11 p.m., even though her store is only open eight hours a day. On Tuesday, she was up at 2:30 a.m. washing clothes that had been donated.

“I’m very hands-on,” Rhonda Heuser said. “This means a lot to me.”

R.C.H. Thrift is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit rchthrift.com or their Facebook page, or contact R.C.H. Thrift at 609-864-3078.