WHEAT Community Services plans move to 127 High Street

February 16, 2007 - WHEAT Community Services will be moving its multi-service center, Hidden Treasures store, and food pantry from its current location at 27 High St. to 127 High St., next to the Gael House Grill. Lease papers were signed this week and the move will be completed by the end of May. This decision comes just weeks after WHEAT closed on the purchase of a lot further down High St. on which they plan to construct a four or five-story building to house WHEAT's multi-service center and retail store plus 12 to 15 affordable apartments. WHEAT agreed to break its 3-year lease at its current location when a buyer came forward interested in putting an Italian restaurant there.

After looking at many sites, immediate past president of the board Chris Hurd discovered that 127 High St., which previously housed a music store and a skateboard retail store, offered not only storefront space for the Hidden Treasures store and food pantry, but also professional office space upstairs for the multi-service center and WHEAT administrative offices.

That was the turning point for the board, who met in a special meeting to discuss options and vote to move forward. "We were concerned about splitting up our services," said past president and clerk Theresa Kane. "We needed both downtown storefront and quite a bit of office space, and up until that point we hadn't found both in one location. This move will enable us to maintain our goal of being a "one-stop" center for people who need our assistance and keep us centrally located so that the store remains a successful retail establishment." A good portion of WHEAT's revenue, which is funneled back into services, comes from sales at Hidden Treasures, which sells second-hand furniture, clothing, and household goods.

"This move also comes just as we are about to expand our services, particularly health services for low-income residents" said Executive Director Jodi Breidel, noting that WHEAT will now be collaborating with Community Healthlinks Lipton Counseling Center, Atlantic Union College and the Community Health Center of Burbank Hospital to offer DUI First Offender classes, workshops on health and nutrition, blood pressure screenings, and access to experts regarding health insurance options.

The first floor (which will include both storefronts next to the Gael House Grill) will house the food pantry and Hidden Treasures. The second floor, which is completely accessible for people who have disabilities through a secondary entrance in the rear of the store, will house the WHEAT intake and administrative offices, Health Care classes and services, the Homework Center and Computer Access Center, and the full range of professional and confidential services for low-income residents that WHEAT offers.

The board and staff will be reviewing the site to assess what renovations need to be made and to create a transition plan. "We may move in phases," said Breidel, "with the store being the last to move. Our current lease goes until the end of May so we have plenty of time to do this in a way that is least disruptive to our clients." Clerk Theresa Kane noted that WHEAT finding this space is a win-win for the town of Clinton. Two potentially empty storefronts will be filled while making way for a new restaurant business that will bring foot traffic into the downtown area, and WHEAT has a good temporary home while we build our new building further down the street.