KALAMAZOO, MI — New Way YFC is the newest addition to the Westnedge Avenue shopping scene.
New Way YFC, a thrift store owned and operated by national nonprofit Youth For Christ, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, July 15, at 7017 S. Westnedge Ave.
“It was fantastically crazy,” said New Way Manager Jason Duncan.
New Way isn’t entirely new to Kalamazoo. The thrift store used to operate as “Nuway Thrift Store” at 211 E. Cork St. The building was a windowless warehouse and there wasn’t much traffic in the area, Duncan said.
The thrift store was leasing the warehouse and couldn’t settle on an agreement with the owners, so Youth for Christ purchased the Westnedge location in December 2024.
“We had about 10 days to get out of the old place and then come here,” Duncan said.
Designs for the new location, formerly a Climax Solar, were completed in March. Renovations continued until shortly before the grand opening.
The new location is more visible and near other retail stores like Sam’s Club, Best Buy and Target.
“This is prime shopping area,” Duncan said.
By 10 a.m. on Tuesday, there was a line wrapping around the building of customers eager to get inside. The high traffic didn’t stop until closing, Duncan said.
The amount of interest “blew my mind,” Duncan said.
The store accepts gently used donations of repurposed appliances, books, clothing, dishes, electronics, furniture, games, textiles and jewelry.
The store is open Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Donations can be dropped off behind the building during open hours. A store attendant has to be present to accept donations.
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