But Redeemed Goods, located on Crowland Avenue near Lincoln Street, isn't your average second-hand store. Not only does it offer clothes and furnishings in a bright, inviting atmosphere, but the business is also going to operate as a training ground for the mission's clients who need work experience to "get off the system," said Open Arms executive director Jerry Vanderklok.

"The real purpose, and excitement, of the store is the first big step to our vision and idea of the last three years to provide rehab for the clients we serve," said Vanderklok.

Regular visitors to the mission will be employed at the store sometime soon, he said, where they can learn basic work skills, including punctuality and hygiene.

"It's a training ground for clients who just need to get some work experience so they can go out and get a job and get off the system," said Vanderklok.

The employment will be an official six-week program. Upon completion the clients will get a certificate as well as a letter of recommendation from Open Arms, he said.

A second work program is also in the works that will be a branch of a developing rehabilitation program at Open Arms for men recovering from drug or alcohol addictions, said Vanderklok.

The men will work in the warehouse part of Redeemed Goods and will also be motivated to learn basic work skills, he said.

"We need to have a place where they can come and work again and learn that part of rehab," said Vanderklok.

The store is well-known to old-school Wellanders as the former Barca's Bakery, said Vanderklok. Open Arms bought the building last December and refurbished it, with "90 per cent of the work being done by volunteers," he said.

Redeemed Goods is totally accessible, including the washrooms. The store includes change rooms, and about 60 per cent of the roof was redone at a cost of $30,000, said Vanderklok.

The tiles and paint are also new. The result is a very vibrant store.

"We tried to get away from a used-store look and go for the high-end look," he said.

Beyond clothes and dishes, Redeemed Goods also offers furniture, appliances and even artwork. Anyone wishing to make donations can drop items off in the receiving area behind the store from Monday to Saturday, 10-4 p.m.

Store manager Rachelle Anderson said the store has seen a lot of foot traffic already, despite only opening recently.

"We've been really busy," she said. "It's been great."

All proceeds from sales go to Open Arms, said Vanderklok.