Encore Shop moving

SANDUSKY — The Encore Shop is moving out of downtown Sandusky. The resale store, which Stein Hospice operates, raises money for the hospice's mission of providing comfort, compassion and support to patients nearing the end of their lives. Its current location on Columbus Avenue, next to Mr. Smith's Coffee House, has been its home for years, but a recent increase in its rent meant it needed to find a new storefront. "The landlord, understandably, has new needs in regards to rent," said Tamara Zuilhof, the hospice's chief operating officer. "Although we adore being downtown, we have to consider the expanses we incur and how it affects the shop's purpose of supporting the hospice's programs and services." The shop initially looked for another downtown storefront, but it couldn't find another space large enough to accommodate all of its items. "We are going to miss all of our neighbors in the downtown and the people who used to walk down Columbus Avenue and stop in to take a look," Zuilhof said. The hospice found a new location on Cleveland Road next to Loris Printing in the former home to Harmony in Health Group Fitness. The store will close Saturday, Dec. 12, to complete the move and likely reopen at its new location in January. "We're excited about the transformation," Zuilhof said. "It will be another phase in the life of Encore." What's Encore? Stein Hospice started the Encore Shop about a decade ago to help fund its mission of providing compassionate care to patients nearing the end of their lives. The nonprofit shop sells gently used, high-end items such as clothes, furniture, jewelry, home decor and more. Former hospice patients' family members donate many of the items on sale at the shop as a way to give back. But anyone can donate to the store, and since the proceeds go to the hospice, they can deduct donations during taxes.