By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

LATONIA - Bettye Bufford of Covington left Small Blessings thrift store in Latonia Wednesday morning with a pair of tennis shoes, a set of Christmas glasses, a vase and some cosmetics. Total cost - $2.12.

"There are so many nice things here," said Bufford. "Prices are really reasonable compared to other thrift stores I've been to."

There's a reason for that: The 1,000-square-foot store is owned and operated by a group of volunteers who sell donated items and give their time to running the store for the benefit of the people in this low-income community.

"We thought there was a great need in that community to provide clothing and small household items," said co-owner Michelle Walter. "The whole point is to raise funds to help other people, but we also want people to be able to afford items there."

The Small Blessings owners are Walter, Gilda Heileman, Lenora Hampton, Marian Goodon, Carolyn Brossfield and Roger Brossfield, who know each other through Seventh Day Adventist Church in nearby Taylor Mill.

The store, at 3800 Winston Ave., is open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Retha Floyd lives down the street and makes Small Blessings a regular stop on her daily walk.

"I got my granddaughter shoes that look brand new for a dollar and they're her favorite shoes now," said Floyd. "I've come in here every day for the last two weeks and I always leave with something."