Happy Blue Bird Market is under new ownership with a new name, and is celebrating the grand opening of its new location. Profits from the thrift store now support the Happy Paws Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic in Danville.

Previously called Blue Bird Market, the store previously helped fund the Wilderness Trace Child Development Center, which is now funded by the state. With the market no longer needed by the center, there was an effort to find a new charitable cause to take control of the market.

“I heard on the radio they were looking for someone to take it over,” said Jan Wertz, new owner of Happy Blue Bird Market. “I helped start the Happy Paws Clinic 17 years ago. We had a backlog of animals needing surgery. We needed more fundraising. A person on our board talked about how profitable a thrift store had been in their community.”

The market is now located at 541 S. Fourth Street in Danville in a building owned by Wertz.

“The previous location was a rental and too small for what we wanted to do with the thrift store,” Wertz said. “When I saw this one open it seemed like the perfect location. Business is doing well but there are ups and downs.”

The market is celebrating the grand opening of the new location on Saturday, May 11.

“We are hoping to get the word out and get people in,” Wertz said.

The store sells a variety of furniture and household items, and is run entirely by volunteers.

“It is great working here, the people are super nice,” said Rosie Neyhouse, a volunteer of two and half years. “We have a lot of good volunteers who are hard workers. I am also a strong believer in recycling and this is a great way to do that. It satisfies a lot of needs and objectives.”

Other volunteers are glad to see items getting a second life.

“I feel bad for a lot of donors because they are dealing with estate settling,” said volunteer Christine Malito. “It is good that they are not just going to a landfill but can be used by someone else who makes memories with it too.”

Store donation hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pickups are available for scheduling by calling 859-516-1193. The store currently is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beginning on May 16, the store will also be open on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.