Sheri’s House of Hope celebrates reopening of Hobbs thift store

Sheri’s House of Hope thrift store is officially back.

More than 40 people crowded into the House of Hope Thrifty Boutique Thursday morning for a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration nine months after the August 2016 flash flood that forced the store to close due to damage. It’s new location, 800 North Turner, occupies the former Jim Spence car dealership and has room to grow. Clothes for children and adults, shoes, furniture, dishware, DVDs, books, purses, jewelry, artwork and more were on display for purchase Thursday. The giant ceremonial ribbon was cut to applause and cake was passed out to attendees.

“People donate good stuff,” boutique cashier Louana Hanson said. “It’s like Christmas. Every time you open a sack, you never know what you’re going to find. All the clothes are in excellent condition.”

Hanson was among the crowd for the ribbon cutting where visitors mingled around and checked out the new store’s space and goods. Members of several organizations, including United Way of Lea County, Hobbs Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce, turned out for the ribbon cutting.

“I’m glad to see they’ve found a new place and they’re open again,” said Gayle Conley, accounting coordinator for United Way. “I’m excited to see where they will go from here.” Jan Lobeck, executive director of Sheri’s House of Hope, founded the nonprofit organization in 2009 to assist victims of domestic violence after the 2004 murder of her daughter. The organization promotes awareness of domestic violence and is planning to build a longterm housing facility off Kansas Street. After nine months, Lobeck said she’s “very, very excited” to be back and that she never lost the faith.

“About two weeks before the flood, we were looking for a bigger building,” she said. “We knew that the other one was just way too small for us because of all the wonderful donations. But when the flood happened — we’ve been out of business about nine months — we actually got a phone call from the realty agent that had this and said that somebody wanted to donate this building to us.”

Lobeck said the organization put down $40,000 on the building and owes another $60,000, which she hopes to get paid off “as soon as possible.” She added that the organization was hurt financially during the closure, which stopped its work on the long-term housing project it was saving funds for. The nonprofit broke ground on the project on Kansas in January 2016.

“We have to build up our funds, not only for operational expenses, but mainly to build our first House of Hope educational center for long-term housing for women and children,” she said. “I want them to be there for at least 18 months, so that they can learn how to rebuild their lives.”

Rep. David Gallegos, R-Eunice, who has served on the organization’s board, attended the celebration and noted the store’s re-opening is a “big piece in funding” the housing facility.

“I really appreciate them,” Gallegos said. “Al’s (Lobeck) done a lot. They’ve really worked hard for women in need because of their daughter. So, to see this back, I think it can do really good for our community.”

Lobeck said that “way into the future,” she’d also like to build small apartment housing on a section of the land in order to rent apartments to some of the women. The thrifty boutique’s re-opening is an evident step towards that goal.

The House of Hope Thrifty Boutique is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays. Tax-deductible donations may be made by mailing them to 4008 North Grimes, No. 164 in Hobbs or at the boutique’s mailbox at 800 North Turner. People can also stop by the boutique and drop off donations.

Kelly Farrell can be reached at 391-5437 or courts@ hobbsnews.com.