MARS HILL, Maine — Rex McLaughlin is bringing some new business to downtown Mars Hill and providing a market for old and used goods.
In late January, McLaughlin opened up the Mars Hill Thrift Store in a rented space at 69 Main Street. McLaughlin is originally from Danforth, retired from his own auto sales business in Portland, and now lives in Houlton.
“It’s more of a hobby than a business,” he said of the thrift store venture. “We just decided we’d come to a town that needed a new store. We decided to see what we could find for a building and set up a little shop.”
So far, McLaughlin said the thrift store has been well received in Mars Hill. The other nearest thrift stores are those in Presque Isle and the Catholic Charities outlet store in Monticello that opens on the first Friday and Saturday of each month.
“We’ve gotten a lot of donations. I’ve been doing a lot with the furniture. I sold a lot of bureaus and beds, and VHS machines, I rebuild all those. They’re really hard to find.”
The Mars Hill store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8-4.
McLaughlin said he takes donations as well as buys some items.
“People can come in, look around, see what we have.”
