DEMOPOLIS &045; The Salvation Army Thrift Store on Bailey Drive has been under construction for the past several weeks in an effort to reorganize the stores stock and expand its location. A new and improved store is set to open at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The renovations come from the business demand and the loyal customer base the previous store had received, Local Salvation Army Captain Don New explained.

New said that because of the loyal customers and their desires for additional merchandise, the store has been expanded from the existing 1,500 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. He said with the new expanded area additional sections can be added and the store will be better organized.

New said there will also be a large clothing section, but a more organized section for the customers to more easily find what they are wanting to purchase.

In part with the reopening of the newly expanded store and the grand opening celebration to be held, New said the store will be holding a half off sale on Thursday.

Everything in the store will be half-off the ticketed price all day Thursday. New said there will be some new merchandise out on Thursday for the re-opening.

Included in the renovations is new paint, new ceilings and lights, as well as new store fixtures. New said in a release Monday that he has also rearranged the inside of the store.

New said he wanted to clean up the place &8220;in appreciation for the faithful customers that have been shopping in our store for years.&8221;

According to the release, The Salvation Army did not do as well as he had hoped with the Red Kettle drive at Christmas, so he hopes The Salvation Army will raise the much needed funding through the thrift store.

The store is what sustains the local Salvation Army through the year, New said.

The opening celebration will be held at the store’s 1046 Bailey Drive location behind Regions Bank on Hwy. 80.