Resale shop funds care for terminal patients

SANDUSKY — At the Encore Shop you can find great deals on high-end items while also helping fund a good cause.The resale shop, at 126 E. Columbus Ave. in Sandusky, is operated by Stein Hospice, which provides comfort, compassion and support to patients nearing the end of their lives.Register managing editor Matt Westerhold went to the shop Thursday to speak to managers Peg Soblesky and Teresa Voight for a segment of "Between the Lines." The video is available for demand viewing at sanduskyregister.com/btl.Many of the items in the shop are donated by family members of people who received care from the hospice and wanted to give back."A lot of It comes from the families of patients at Stein and they're very grateful for the care they got from Stein," store co-manager Peg Soblesky said.But anyone can donate. Donations are tax deductible since all proceeds go toward funding the hospice's mission of providing comfort and care to its patients. Encore accepts gently used high-end items such as clothes, furniture, jewelry, home decor and so much more."I like all the unique things we get because I can look them up on the internet and they all have a history and story to them," Voight said.If it's a story you're looking for, the shop also sells books with hardbacks costing $2 and paperback costing 50 cents. But next week people can get as many books as they can carry for a low price.Encore is hosting a week-long book sale starting Tuesday, where people can purchase a bag and fill it with as many books as they can carry. A medium bag costs $10 and a large one costs $15.The resale is heavily dependent on volunteers with about 20 people helping the shop fulfill its goal of funding the hospice, but for many, the reward of helping others is enough. Voight said she feels like she won the lottery every day she comes into work.The Encore Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 until 5 p.m. each day.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterManagers at The Encore Shop Teresa Voight and Peg Soblesky smile during an interview on Thursday, May 2, 2019, in downtown Sandusky.