New thrift shop boutique in Concord to support victims of human trafficking

CONCORD, N.C. — Soon you’ll be able to shop for second-hand items while supporting a good cause at the same time.

Restored things restoring lives is the motto at Restoration Market, a thrift shop boutique that opens Thursday at 74 Spring Street in Concord.

The shop offers customers and volunteers the chance to make a difference in their community.

“You may have come in here just to shop but you are going to leave with so much more,” says Hannah Arrowood with Present Age Ministries, a nonprofit organization committed to combating the sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of teen girls.

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Arrowood came up with the idea of the market 10 years ago. She says everything that will be sold at the store was donated.

“That restored thing will actually be a connector to restoring the life of the victims that we serve,” she said.

“As we’ve seen this rapid increase in victim identification, one of the things that we’ve been trying to do is, how do we generate revenue so that we can continue to support the growing needs and capacity,” she said.

All proceeds generated by the market will go to the ministry to provide crucial care and support to survivors of trafficking.

“Every year, we’re identifying more and more and more children specifically, but also adults, both sex and labor trafficking victims. And as a community, we are deciding like enough is enough,” she said.

Restoration Market will not only provide affordable clothing, shoes, and jewelry but also serve as a community hub where people can volunteer and donate.

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