NEWS RELEASE
(November 24, 2006, Washington, IL) Second Chances is the theme and name of a new store that opened this week in Washington, Ill. The shop features items made from materials that had a previous life and products made from recycled sources, as well as tools that help people recycle. Second Chances emerged from an idea from storeowner, Nancy Martin, who has an interest in recycling and a creative bent to finding uses for discarded items.
“I got it from my mother,” Martin says, “who seldom threw anything away and usually found value in items beyond their final use.” Martin also attributes the idea for the store as a second chance for her and other women. “It’s my second chance to start a career and I can offer that same second chance to others, as well.”
Examples of items in the store include purses made from license plates and leather skirts, bowls made from heated and reformed LP records, stemware made from rejected wine bottles and jewelry made from “found” glass. There are also belts made from auto seat belts and bottle caps, tote bags made from discarded sails and old album covers. Old bicycle parts crafted into frames, cd racks and bottle openers are also part of the products offered. The store also carries recycled paper products. Adding to the products carried are kits that let crafters make oil lamps from discarded wine bottles. Martin continues to identify products that fit the “second chance” theme. Many of the items offered for sale originate from local artists.
Martin will also be selling her signature “Beeter Bags” totes -- hand-crafted from undershirts.
Eventually, Martin expects to host seminars on recycling and workshops on reclaiming the useful life of found and discarded objects.
The store is located at 132 N. Main Street, Washington, Illinois – one block north of the downtown square. Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. until Christmas. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for December 9.
For more information, contact Nancy Martin at 309-444-2979.
132 N. Main Street, Washington, IL 61571-2556
309-444-2979 FAX 309-444-8707