By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
After two-plus years of hard work, Faith Journey United Methodist Church opened its revamped “Cradle and Beyond” secondhand store in Cicero this past November. While business is booming in the bright, beautiful C&B 2.0, FJUMC has bigger plans for the adjoining structure on Brewerton Road.
“With volunteers, the grace of God and a lot of money, it’s beautiful now,” volunteer Beth Jordan said of the thrift store’s new home.
Church volunteers have been hard at work renovating the building into “Mission Central,” a community gathering space FJUMC plans to use for worship and classes.
“We’re calling this building our ‘Mission Central’ because our goal is to have not just the C&B thrift store but other ministries,” said the Rev. Dan Bradley, pastor of FJUMC.
Cradle and Beyond previously was located in the basement of the former Andrews Memorial UMC in North Syracuse, now St. Mary and St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church. Andrews Memorial UMC and Trinity United Methodist Church in Clay merged in 2015 to become Faith Journey UMC.
FJUMC volunteers began working on the former veterinary office in September 2017. Just over two years later, C&B 2.0 held its ribbon cutting. Work is continuing on Mission Central. The church has spent nearly $125,000 on the renovation — $65,000 on asbestos removal alone.
Jordan said FJUMC is “very, very blessed” to have more volunteers than it has time slots for staffing C&B 2.0.
“Our sorters are hands down the best in the business,” she said.
Judy Bylsma, chair of C&B, said the secondhand shop’s volunteers take items home to launder and refurbish them. They also have built display racks for much of the clothing.
What makes C&B 2.0 stand out from other thrift stores, Bradley said, is the rotating inventory. The shop only sells like-new clothing items, and if certain pieces are not selling, they are donated to the Rescue Mission, Care Net Pregnancy Center of CNY and other local organizations.
“We are a boutique. Everything we sell is super awesome,” he said.
C&B 2.0 also partners with Advocates, Inc., to provide volunteering opportunities for people with disabilities.
“I think it helps break down some of the stereotypes. These are very productive people. They are beautiful, gifted people,” Bradley said.
As the community gathering space at Mission Central takes shape, the FJUMC community is hoping that people will see it as much more than a thrift store.
“We’re hoping to share our talents and see what talents other people have,” Jordan said. “We’re not here to preach … just help one another.”
To that end, Mission Central will host a four-week sewing workshop starting March 4 to make clothing protectors for residents of area nursing homes, soap pockets for military servicemembers, reusable tote bags and more. On March 18, Mission Central will host an opioid overdose training class that will teach first responders and other community members how to administer naloxone (Narcan) and what they can do to combat the opioid crisis in Central New York.
“It’s not just in the city … it’s here in North Syracuse,” Jordan said.
Bradley said Mission Central has the potential to host tutoring services, meals for seniors, legal aid clinics and mental health services.
“If there’s anything that’s missing here or in the North Country, it’s access to mental health. It can take months to get in to see a psychiatrist or even find a therapist,” he said.
To sign up for the sewing workshop or opioid overdose response training, call FJUMC at 315-652-9186. Mission Central/C&B 2.0 is located at 7778 Brewerton Road in Cicero. C&B 2.0 is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturdays. The shop accepts donations during its operating hours or from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Visit fjumc.org or facebook.com/CradleandBeyond to learn more.
