CHESAPEAKE — For nearly one year, a thrift store in Chesapeake has been helping those in need.

Maxine’s Closet, located at 409 ½ Third Ave., is a ministry of Chesapeake United Methodist Church.

Christine Case, a volunteer at the store, said it is named in honor of Maxine Edward, a longtime member of the church, who owned the building and passed away last year.

“We know in Chesapeake, there’s a lot of need. We wanted to help the Community Mission Outreach,” she said, referring to the local food pantry.

Edwards left the building to the church to use. It had previously housed Edwards Cut Rate, a sundry store.

They sold all sorts of sundry items,” Chuck Case, Christine’s husband and the pastor of Chesapeake United Methodist said. “They had a little restaurant in the bank.

The church opened the thrift store in the space, selling clothing and other items at deep discount prices.

“Everything we have is donated,” Christine Case said. “We take anything we can sell — shoes, clothes, jewelry, glassware — anything people would from a thrift store.”

Chuck Case said the decision to focus heavily on clothing came from experience doing rummage sales at the church and seeing the need in the community.

“The clothes we had went out the door, lickety split,” he said.

The proceeds from the sales at the store are passed on to the food pantry at the CMO, Christine Case said, noting they have raised $12,000 since opening the store in September 2015.

She said the store has remained busy, with about 50-60 people coming each day, with the store averaging about $200 in sales per day.

Rhonda King, of Chesapeake, was shopping at the store on Tuesday. She said she’s a regular customer and comes in frequently.

“They’re great,” she said. “They have a great selection and the people are really friendly and helpful.”

Chuck Case said the store has three objectives.

“To engage the community and offer clothes at a deep discount, to provide funds to the food pantry” he said. “And it provides a place for folks to volunteer and serve.”

She said the store’s staff, which numbers about nine, is comprised of all volunteers, one of whom is Arlene Damron.

“I feel it’s a blessing to be a part of this,” she said. “Because it helps so many people to be able to afford to come in and get clothing and things that they need.”

Damron spoke of the connections she has made.

“You meet so many nice people here,” she said. “They come in and have needs and we get to be friends.”

Another volunteer is Dean Howard, who also works as the custodian for the church.

“It’s a blessing, knowing that you’re doing something to help the community,” he said. “Right now, we’re doing stuff to help flood victims in West Virginia. We’re collecting and taking things to the food pantry in Huntington.”

Christine Case said the store has been popular with the community, with many customers becoming regulars.

“People love the store and are glad we’re here,” she said. “We’ve been well-received in the community. People are thankful for the deals.”

“We’re filling a much-needed niche,” Chuck Case said.

Maxine’s Closet is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Saturdays. Items to be donated can be dropped off at the shop or at Chesapeake United Methodist.

The store has a special “Jean and Things” sale scheduled from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 2.