The new Mission Thrift location in Fresno opened Friday. Photo by Ben Hensley

Fresno’s largest thrift store — and Fresno Mission’s second — opened its doors Friday in front of several hundred people eager to get their first look inside the nonprofit’s newest venture.

At approximately 25,000 square feet, the new store at the corner of Bullard Avenue and First Street is significantly larger than the Mission Thrift location on Sierra Avenue near Highway 41, said Matt Dildine, CEO of Fresno Mission, which operates both stores.

The new store, located at 6036 N. First St., will offer more boutique items and larger departments including clothing, books and home decor.

“This thrift store allows us to generate additional income, additional revenue that 100% of goes back into our services,” Dildine said.

Fresno Mission Chief Business Officer Sherri White said the nonprofit is constantly looking for ways to fund its work.

The thrift store not only helps the organization be more self-sufficient, but also provides jobs and improves quality of life.

“Ultimately, with this second store, we’re probably now around 70 employees just for the thrift side,” White said. “That’s a lot of jobs, and that’s exciting to see.”

White added that in addition to the thrift stores, Fresno Mission operates a recycling program. These employment opportunities are meant for people struggling to support themselves due to past drug addiction, homelessness or other life crises.

“We really do treat the thrift stores as a kind of training ground, for when people don’t have work history, or maybe it’s really scattered and they need that first job to get back into that routine of employment,” Dildine said.

Since 2012, Mission Thrift has generated more than $16 million from its thrift operations, all of which has been channeled back into the community to help provide stable jobs and affordable products.

Dildine added that many employees stay on and help train future employees, many of whom have gone through the same struggles as them.

“The thrift stores give us that platform to help people do that,” Dildine said.

During the presentation, which featured new Fresno City Councilmember Nick Richardson and a representative from District 8 Assemblymember David Tangipa’s office, Dildine also mentioned the nonprofit’s goal for future thrift stores.

Dildine confirmed that while dates and locations are yet to be confirmed, they aim to open several more stores in the coming years.