Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JULY 13 - 19, 2022 UCW 9 Bragg 'N Barn gets revamp by ASHLEY SHIRLEY FEATURE e Bragg 'N Barn on Fort Bragg is making room to better serve the families that serve their country. e main post thrift store is currently undergoing renovations to bring positive logisti- cal changes to the beloved second- hand shop. Conceived in large part by the Bragg 'N Barn's manager of three months, Monica Allen, the World War II- era building will undergo a remodel that focuses on enhancing the experience of both shoppers and workers. "e end goal is a clean, safe shopping environment for our community, as well as a good proper flow of donated and consigned items," Allen explained to Up & Coming Weekly. "We want to ensure there's a place for everything and that the store is organized so we can increase sales and give back even more through our welfare grants and scholarships to military dependents." e Bragg 'N Barn is a space nearly bursting at the seams with good inten- tions and is stocked full of clothing, furniture, household goods, books and toys. Still receiving donations during this time, the store is excited to implement the new plans and get more merchan- dise out on the floor. "We're focused on making more floor space to accommodate more donated items," Allen said, sharing plans for the store's renovation. "ere's a lot of focus on cleanliness in the dressing rooms and the children's play area. e children love the play area, and it's a constant struggle to keep it clean and organized because they're having fun with their shopping. We want to make it safer and easier for employees to keep it clean." Originally a mule barn built during WWII, the Bragg 'N Barn gets its rustic moniker from its roots. e historic brick building is a slice of the past now serving as the site of so much good. Dawn Miller, president of the Board of Directors for the Bragg 'N Barn, feels the building's current duty as a thrift shop is more than fitting. "It's always good to repurpose," she said. "It's a great use of the building. By people shopping here, donating here, consigning here, volunteering and work- ing here — it's a wonderful cycle. Our sole mission is to help the Fort Bragg community and the greater Fayetteville area; it's the only reason we're here." Apart from their service as a place for families across Fort Bragg to shop for needed items at affordable prices, the Bragg 'N Barn has fingers that reach far beyond the crowded shelves and over- flowing racks in the shop. e Bragg 'N Barn has been a long- time employer of military spouses and dependents. e money received through in-store purchases goes toward the aforementioned welfare grants and scholarships for military high school seniors and those who wish to continue their education. As the project progresses, there have been interruptions to daily operations, and a few more are likely to occur before August. As the workers commit to keep- ing up operations while keeping shut- downs to a minimum, Allen admits, it's been difficult. "We've had a lot of obstacles, but our volunteers have been great. We're hop- ing to get more volunteer teams in to help." Miller also chimed in with the store's need for those willing to give their time and talents to help the Bragg 'N Barn thrive. "We need more people to come in and lend that helping hand. Volunteers have become a precious resource that is disappearing," she stated. "It's only 'goodness' when you volunteer for your community." For those who wish to volunteer, Allen is more than happy to help log those hours into the Volunteer Management Information System for the military. Allen also invites teenagers on school break to come and lend a hand as long as they're registered with Child & Youth Services. Additionally, the Bragg 'N Barn is hunting for a washer and dryer for their warehouse and items to spruce up the employee breakroom. e scheduled August grand reopen- ing coincides with National rift Store Day, observed on Wednesday, Aug. 17, this year. Allen hopes to make it a full month of celebration. e Bragg 'N Barn is located on Ft. Bragg at 2-2412 Woodruff St. Volunteer forms can be found in-store or through the Bragg 'N Barn Facebook page www.facebook.com/BraggNBarn- riftShop/. Employees at the Bragg 'N Barn thrift shop organize incoming donations while the shop is being refurbished. (Photo by Ashley Shirley) ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 Bring the family, bring chairs, and relax to some great music. FREE EVENT Parking available at 5pm, $10 per vehicle, any size. Food & Beverage sales starting at 5pm. No outside containers or coolers. No pets, Only service animals. Join us for Rock'n On The River concert series. July 22 nd, 2022 rocknontheriver@gmail.com Autumn Tyde Beach/R&B 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 1122 Person St, Fayetteville, NC 28312 Rev On 8:00 pm Foreigner Tribute