Case Study: Volunteers of America Thrift Store — Brunswick, OH
The Challenge
Three separate retail units–previously home to a Sherwin-Williams, a music store, and a pet store–sat side by side in a Brunswick strip center. Volunteers of America needed all three combined into a single, functional 20,000-square-foot thrift store. The challenge wasn’t just knocking down walls. It was creating a space that felt intentional and cohesive, while also supporting the very specific operational demands of a high-volume donation-based retail environment.
The Solution
Rather than splitting utilities three ways as the existing layout required, our team combined the building systems into one, simplifying operations for a single tenant. We removed interior walls between the units, polished the concrete floors throughout, and carefully planned the layout to balance open sight lines for shoppers with organized, clearly defined departments. Every decision–from traffic flow to department placement–was made with the thrift store’s day-to-day operations in mind.
The Result
The finished space is a 20,000-square-foot retail environment that looks like it was always designed as one. Polished concrete floors run seamlessly throughout, departments are logically arranged for efficient shopping, and the open layout gives customers a clear sense of the full store from the moment they walk in. You’d never know it was once three separate storefronts.
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Whether you’re combining units, refreshing a retail space, or starting from scratch, Ten Six Construction brings the same care and craftsmanship to every project. Let’s talk about your next project.