New Albin's "mall" business is booming

by Sandra Knebel

Where to find (at a ridiculously reasonable price) a pair of jeans, shirt or blouse, some fun toys for visiting kids, pictures, household items, gifts, books, cooking utensils, collectibles, and more? Visit the “New Albin Mall”, the name locals fondly use for the Way Station located adjacent to the High Chaparral. For over four years now the Way Station has functioned as a hub of commerce for this small northeast Iowa community and the visitors it continues to draw. With funds raised from the thrift shop, the Way Station supports free weekend movies, a youth center, the food bank, and other community functions.

Thrift Shop

The thrift shop, the first of the Way Station’s activities, opened on January 26, 2002. It was opened as a joint venture of the churches in New Albin to serve a clientele that has needs, provide a tourist draw for those who love the thrill of the hunt to get a good deal, and a place to recycle perfectly good items that, coining a popular phrase, “become other people‘s treasure.” Profits from the Way Station go toward their sponsorship of the free movies, Youth Center, community Easter Sunrise Services, the community Thanksgiving Dinner, food baskets at holiday time, and the Food Pantry.

Star Meiners, a volunteer on Fridays, says the thrift shop is extremely popular. “People bring in their donations and while they are here, they look around at the variety of items, and usually buy something to take back home.” And as word continues to spread about the extensive choice of merchandise, the shop’s popularity grows. “We are getting more and more customers,” she continued. “They come from all over - Caledonia, La Crosse, Prairie du Chien, Viroqua, Lansing, Waukon, and other communities.”

To reduce inventory that hasn’t moved in a few weeks, the Way Station donates to the women’s shelters and Goodwill. They do not cut off their intake; however, some items like furniture are not accepted due to lack of space.

The prices for the wide selection of choices mostly range from a dollar to about three dollars. There is a voucher program for low income families or families experiencing a situational crisis. Voucher items are offered no cost, including both clothing, household items, and food. Vouchers are obtained at the New Albin Savings Bank; everything is confidential. (Ask for Karen Lee or Ellen Myers)

Free Movies

An adjunct of the Way Station is the free movie theatre, also run by volunteers. Movies are shown Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. Bambi II is showing the weekend of March 24-25, followed by Who Gets the House the following weekend. The New Albin news section of the Allamakee Journal lists the current showings.

Youth Center

Like the thrift shop, the Youth Center has gone through an amazing transformation over the last few years. Success has been good for it, too. The Center is a great place for kids to hang out, play pool, darts, foos ball, ping pong, air hockey, and X-box. There is also a Kids Corner with games, coloring, and mini, mini golf. The youth who come to participate in the adult-monitored activities also get their name on a star on either a wall or the ceiling. The Center is also run by volunteers.

The Youth Center hours are generally from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, 2:00 to 4:00 on Wednesday and Thursday, and 3:00 to 5:00 on Saturdays. The Way Station, movie theater, and Youth Center are all closed on Sundays. For more information on hours or activities, the phone number for the Way Station is 563/544-4815.

To sum up, Star Meiners described the Way Station as “….a place where everybody works together. It’s no one person or one church. It’s just everybody in the community working together - and New Albin does that really well!”