Shoals Dream Center Thrift Store — Local services in Florence

I love these thrift stores and their mission! All proceeds go to their mission of feeding and clothing the community. Which is just wonderful. I hate to say that I am sorely upset by what I have overheard while shopping AND on two different instances for that matter! Now, if you shop at the location by the mall, you know a young man in a wheelchair who greets everyone when they walk in. His name is Ian as I have spoken to him a few times. He is the sweetest kindest most pure soul you can encounter. And if you speak to him enough, he may let you know that he has experienced a TBI (Traumatic brain injury) and he would never wish that life on anyone. I observed something so disgusting and foul and NOT representative of someone who is Christ-like AT ALL! A blonde woman who is a higher up, who I have come to find out is named Linda Keeton, was talking to Ian. Now, when he speaks, he does speak very slowly and it simply requires patience and acceptance. As he was stuttering his words out, this foul woman said in response to him, "Get it out already, I don't have all day to listen to you, I'm very busy!" On what planet is that okay to talk to someone who is differently abled than you like that? And to be the person in charge and overseeing things? I just couldn't believe it. And if I could've describe to you the facial expression that HE had after she said that? I walked over to him and told him a story about some of my pets to help cheer him up a bit. That is completely unacceptable. Jesus would not approve of this behavior, I know that much. I wish my story ended there. I was at a different location (Sheffield) when this same supervisor, Linda was in there. Now, I can never forget an ugly personality, so of course I remembered her. She was talking about business with one of the workers and was describing things as being, "retarded." Saying, something was stupid. "Oh, that's just retarded. So dumb." So that's twice she has talked down to or about the differently abled community out in the open? No care? And no punishments for her? As a former elementary school teacher for special needs children, this has completely floored me. I cannot believe that a person like this is allowed to be in charge of such an organization. You cannot hide under the guise of being a faith-based organization and manage to treat employees and others with that disrespect. It is 100% tarnishing the name of the dream center and all that it helps. I know the director, Jimmy Hayes would be extremely disappointed to know this was going on in his stores. Please assist with getting this woman removed from these stores as she obviously doesn't know how to talk to the general public, especially those with disabilities. Please replace your thrift manager with someone who exhibits qualities more in line with...

I had never been in here but was close by recently and decided to stop in. It was about 4:20. I asked what time they closed and was told 5:00 so I figured I had a little while to look around. I was in the back of the store at 4:30 when they turned all the lights off!! I walked to the front and asked again what time they close and was told 5:00. I asked why they turned the lights off and the lady said very smugly "We always do that." I asked why and she said "Because we want to go home." This woman seemed very miserable on her job and sure didnt have to be so ugly. They should change the closing time to 4:30 if they are going to turn the lights off on the customers in the store with no warning. I haven't been back and probably never will. Blue Door has much better prices from what little I could see before the lights went...

The people who work here are pretty nice but compared to some of the other thrift stores, it really doesn't compare as far as with merchandise that I would actually pay for. It is always the same old stuff each time I come here too. However I give it a 2 because they are a charitable place, who actually does help people and not just for their own profits , unlike one of the other thrift stores right down the road. Donations are left at these places to help others in the community. The other thrift store could learn a thing or two from these people about actually helping others instead of just letting the people...