Sans Souci celebrating 45th anniversary in community

Sans Souci will be celebrating its 45th anniversary later this month.

The non-profit thrift store opened on Feb. 21st in 1979. The goal of the store is to help everyone in the community live life “without worry,” the meaning of its French name.

The original goal was to support pregnant women and women with young children. It now provides free clothing, shoes and winter coats to residents in need, allows community members to stretch their budget by offering donated goods at low-cost, and provides employment opportunities for those who suffer from barriers preventing them from employment elsewhere.

It first started on 12th Street and has moved several times, including 14th Street, Jackson Street and State Street locations before moving to its current 13th Street location across from the Doug Otto United Way Center on 13th Street in 2003.

Sans Souci became a United Way agency in 1998. During the 2008 flood recovery, it was the official donation relief site for the community.

The agency is also celebrating the 29th work anniversary today of its executive director Sheryl Adams, who started as a cashier and has also served as store manager, truck driver and operations supervisor. She became executive director in 2008.

The store will be holding a celebration open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on February 21st. It will include celebratory cupcakes and the store will be open for evening shopping.

You can get more information at sans souci dot org.