HIGGINS BRANCH TO OPEN A NEW LOCATION
Higgins Branch customers who normally shop at Higgins Branch on Blue Bell Road, will soon have another place to shop on the south side of town.
On October 1st, Faith Mission closed on a deal that will provide a second location at the old HEB building at 2236 S. Market Street. The building’s owners, Brenham Properties, made up of local people who invested in the properties, have owned it for approximately 20 years.
As the conversations between Faith Mission and the building’s owners progressed, it became apparent that they wanted to sell the property and wanted to use it for good in the community
The building, which is approximately 26,000 square feet, hadn’t been in use since it was used to store supplies during Hurricane Katrina, but has fallen into disrepair.
Faith Mission cannot afford to pay for the much-needed repairs to the building, but Randy Wells, director of the Faith Mission, is hoping that the community will step up and donate either supplies or labor. Carpentry and labor skills are the most needed, along with plumbers and electricians.
In the past, churches around the community have donated their services to past Faith Mission projects, such as the old Food Pantry Store, which is now the Cannery Kitchen, and the old Brenham Police Department, which is now the Community Health Center.
Randy Wells is also hoping for volunteers or direct contributions by people who might be wanting a tax advantage, which would help Faith Mission donate all the money they generate from their stores, directly back to those who need the help the most.
Until now, due to the generosity of the community, the current location on Blue Bell Road was the drop-off point for all donations, and storage room was scarce. This new location will have plenty of room in the back. Wells believes that “we need to be respectful of donations, as the donations are the lifeblood of Faith Mission. These donations help provide for employees’ salaries, overhead and help provide free services for those most in need.
Also in the works is that Higgins Branch customers may soon be able to buy Christmas items at the new location, as a Christmas store is being planned for part of the building, something they have been wanting to do for a long time, but didn’t have the room at the old location.
Those wishing to donate time or money to Faith Mission for the purpose of getting this project off the ground may contact Faith Mission or Randy Wells at 979-277-8783.
