ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The congregation has moved to new quarters, and there’s a lovely old building left behind. What do you with it?

Well, you put it up for sale. But, in the meantime, the old First Baptist Church on Racine Street in Robertsdale has been turned into an attractive thrift store which officially opened for business Friday morning.

The store’s main shop is in the “student room” of the old church, and is full of adult and children’s clothes, school uniforms, glassware, small appliances, and just about everything you’d need to outfit your home and family.

If your size 8 daughter needs a white or cream-colored dress for First Communion or a holiday party, there’s one for just $4. It will need pressing and dry cleaning. There’s a ladies lined leather coat for just $5.

“When we moved to our new church, we had the problem of what to do with the space we had,” said the Rev. Jeff Copeland, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Robertsdale.

The church had been sponsoring a number of yard sales to support its various charities.

“The volunteers wanted to take the next step,” said Copeland, who added that the proceeds of the thrift store would be used to help the needy with food and other necessities.

The store, Copeland, says, will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

If the bargains in the thrift store aren’t enough, there will be an “indoor yard sale” during the first weekend of the month in the old sanctuary, Copeland said.

“We are trying to raise money to help people who have been displaced for several reasons,” said Doris Hastings of Robertsdale who heads up Project CARE (Catastrophic Aftermath Relief Effort)/Project Sonshine. “Every dollar we earn goes to help the food bank, or goes to helping someone with the rent or an electric bill. We know people can be displaced for a number of reasons.”

The project, Copeleand told the group, got its start after Hurricane Katrina.

“We realized that people don't’ need help just after a hurricane,” said Copeland. “THere needed to be a place where people could get care and help.”

Today, it’s the economy, and not hurricanes that are hurting area families, Copeleand said.

“The economic situation is now a catastrophic event,” said Copeland. “We have parents with four or five kids trying to keep a roof over their head.”

A number of church members started having yard sales at their own homes to raise funds, and Hastings added that volunteers would make arrangements to pick up items for the thrift store. Call 947-4362 for more information.

Ray Beasley of Loxley is one of the volunteers at the store. A former maintenance worker, he has the reputation of being “Mr. Fixit” at the store. He’s been working there for about three weeks. Beasley has been called on to mend dresser drawers, table legs, and other repairs.

“I’ve always done stuff like this,” said Beasley, who added that he is looking for work himself as his plant has closed.