ALEXANDRIA BAY — The Alexandria Community Thrift Store and Food Pantry, located on Route 12 across from the 1000 Islands Bait Store, plans to construct an expanded facility later this year.

Robert Stromwall, board president of the nonprofit, said the proposed $180,000 project has been in the works for years and just needs the Jefferson County Planning Board’s approval to move forward. The county Planning Board next meets on Tuesday.

Construction work on a new building a bit further down the street could begin as soon as this summer and the organization hopes to start using the facility by this winter before it gets too cold, he said.

Grant funding will foot $30,000 of the project’s cost, and the rest is covered by donations from community members and donated labor.

The store, which opened in 1996, is a rented facility with very limited space and inadequate heating and restrooms.

“We can’t even handle all of the donations from the community because of the lack of space,” Mr. Stromwall said.

He said the new facility will provide 5,000 square feet of space — up from 1,600 square feet — and will allow the store to accept more items locally.

The all-volunteer group is always looking for volunteer staff and people to help it with the proposed construction.

On July 6, the Alexandria Community Thrift Store and local fishing guides will host a “Classical Fisherman Shore Dinner” fundraiser for the building project starting at 5 p.m. at Coyote Moon Vineyards, 17371 County Road 3, Clayton.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the Alexandria Community Thrift Store and Food Pantry at 482-3917.

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