Tierra De Segunda Store Is Back

By John Larson

SOCORRO – Tierra de Segunda Thrift Store reopened in its new location with a party Tuesday. With about 20 customers waiting for the doors to open at noon, Mayor Dr. Ravi Bhasker cut the ribbon and applauded the volunteers for their perseverance in finding the new home.
“We’re so happy the store has been able to remain open and continue this great service for the community,” Bhasker said. “We’ve always supported their efforts and did what we could to help. This is vital for a good part of the community.”
After the ribbon cutting, customers were treated to punch, fruit and snacks.
The thrift store has been in continual operation serving families, students and those in need since 1980, and up until last month it was located on Fisher Street.
Its new address is 913 N. California St., in the Smith’s shopping center behind Denny’s.
Susan Miller said it took 20 volunteers to move the clothes,
household items and fixtures to the new site last Saturday morning.
“We are grateful to the city for listening to our concerns and helping us find this wonderful new site,” she said. “And thanks to the community for supporting our efforts.”
Mike Fazzone, Ramon Romero and Jonathan Gallegos were the “demolition crew,” said Miller. “They helped renovate the interior of the store. We also want to thank Mike and Mona Boggs of Austin, Texas, for giving us a reasonable rental rate.”
Besides serving the public through the thrift store three days a week, the volunteer organization is an active supporter of the Good Samaritan Center-Socorro nursing home on Highway 60.
“We started out originally to help the elderly, to make donations for Good Sam’s seniors,” Lola McWhorter told the Mountain Mail in a recent interview. “Wanda Ramzel, one of the founders, helped open the store the same year Good Sam’s opened, almost 30 years ago.”
Founders of the organizations included Ramzel, Francis Senn, Florence Kottlowski and Evelyn Fite.
In addition to regular contributions to Good Sam’s, the store also donates money to support the Socorro County Senior Citizen Center, Socorro Village, Vista Montano, Meals On Wheels, C.P.A., La Vida Fields and the Disabled American Veterans.
Tierra de Segunda Thrift Store is open three days a week, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Photo caption: Tierra de Segunda Thrift Store re-opened at 913 N. California Tuesday. Mayor Dr. Ravi Bhasker was given the honor of cutting the ribbon at the dedication. Pictured (from left): Nancy Malone, Renee Lange-Romero, Lola McWhorter, Bhasker, Betty Easley, Evelyn Fite, Susan Miller and Mary Soto. Photo by John Larson/Mountain Mail

Tierra De Segunda Store Is Back