Rural Missouri - December 2020 - 33

photo courtesy Re-Made For a Purpose

Previous page: Part of the Re-Made For a Purpose team in Fulton (left to right): Alyssa Reid, Zane Miller, Courtney Nelson, Tina Jones and
co-owner, Barbara Reid. Above, left to right: Tina Jones stencils a large sign on canvas. The staff now accepts donated jewelry and reworks them
into original pieces of art to wear. Employee Courtney Nelson holds samples of beautiful felt ﬂower embellishments she helps make at the shop.
of purchasing the building. " We can usually ﬁnd a way to
ﬁrst month's rent.' The day before it was due, we received
bring new life to most items. "
a check from someone for the exact amount we needed.
She adds people follow the store on social media to see
And they had no idea of the amount we paid. God is so
new items that show up daily. " They'll tag us if they see an
good. "
idea they think we'd like to try, " she says.
The charming 1,200-square-foot shop comprises several
Normally open all year, the shop closed from March
quaint rooms and offers home decor and small furniture
to mid-May when COVID-19 hit. The workers were glad
items as well as a select offering of high-quality women's
when the shop could open again, but none more than Zane
and juniors clothing, shoes and accessories. Items come
Miller, who has worked at Re-Made since opening day.
and go quickly, so the shop always has fresh options.
" I've worked here since the store opened in 2015, " says
" We loved everything about the Tennessee store we'd
Zane, 26. " I paint, stencil, work checkout and help clean,
visited, " says Barbara, a member of Callaway Electric
like sweeping and washing windows. But greeting people is
Cooperative. " But what we didn't see was those who were
my favorite thing. "
employed being the face of the store. We knew that's someIt's a rare day to see an employee at Re-Made For a Purthing we wanted for this place. "
pose who isn't smiling and having a good time while they
When you visit Re-Made For a Purpose, you are immedido their job. They're excited to be employed and happy
ately greeted by an employee. The shop has 10 employees
when people love their store as much as they do.
who work up to 12 hours each week. " They are the face of
" Some jobs are hard to ﬁnd for people with special
Re-Made, " says Barbara, pointing out the numerous pieces
needs, " says Courtney Nelson, 30, an employee with
of art and signs which have been stenciled or
Re-Made since 2017. " I can proudly say I do work and
painted by staff. " They're the ones running the
support small businesses in our community. "
register, helping customers, hanging and tagThe building has apartments above the store
ging clothing. They even run to the bank or the
which
helps offset payments. Eventually, Barbara
print shop if we need them to. They do it all and
Fulton
and Phyllis hope the apartments will be home to
we just assist them if they have a question. "
some of their employees who are able to live on
Antique ﬁreplace mantels, worn wooden
their own with minimal supervision.
shelves, old suitcases and vintage tables are set
With 68 years of education behind them,
with ﬁnished work by the staff as well as small
Barbara and Phyllis hired former students to
store-bought decor which has been donated to the store.
work in the store. This gave them a chance to showcase
Out-of-style artwork might become a new work of " heart "
the numerous gifts and abilities every worker brings to the
with quotes painted on the glass or screened over an
Re-Made team.
image. Cabinet doors become the base for " Welcome "
A scripture on their front door is the root of what the
signs, favorite quotes or scriptures. Pages from discarded
ladies based the business on: " The Lord will fulﬁll His
hymnals and torn books are strategically cut to become
purpose for me ... " - Psalms 138:8. That purpose is
a charming cottage in a scene or country church with
quite evident through the joy you see on the face of every
a steeple in newly framed art. Antique buttons, wooden
employee at Re-Made.
thread spools and small perfume bottles magically turn
into the perfect base for little Christmas trees. Ornately
Re-Made For a Purpose is located at 17 W. Fifth Street in
framed mirrors become the backdrop for scenes stenciled
Fulton. You can reach the shop by calling 573-544-3121 or
over the mirror. Old frames become new homes for gently
by emailing remadeforapurpose@gmail.com. Hours: Wednesloved pieces of a quilt.
day through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to
" We're blessed to have people who donate quality items
1 p.m. Be sure to follow them on Facebook or Instagram for
our staff can rework into something new for people to
updates.
love, " says Barbara, noting they're currently in the process
DECEMBER 2020 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

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Rural Missouri - December 2020

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