'Back In Business': Vital Tinley Agency Re-opens Resale Shop

TINLEY PARK, IL — The wait is just about over for those who have been hanging on to donations for Tinley Park's Together We Cope resale shop.

The reopening of the beloved and essential social services agency's Nu2u resale shop is set for Wednesday, April 10, after more than a year of rebuilding following a fire. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Staff will begin accepting donations the week of April 15: Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Together We Cope's main building at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park has remained closed while repairs continued after a November 2022 fire shut down its client services office, food pantry and Nu2u resale shop. Hurdles have pushed the reopening several times, but they're almost fully reopened.

To celebrate the store's reopening, everything in it is marked down to 50 percent off, staff announced.

“We are elated to be back in a position to serve our clients,"said Executive Director Kathryn Straniero. "Opening Nu2u is a huge first step in our three-part plan for moving our operation back into the main building.

The reopening of the food pantry will follow that of the resale shop, with the final step being staff's return to the building.

Last fall, final work completed included some upgrades to plumbing, electrical and office spaces. In August, workers closed up the agency's original entrance, then converting into a window, and creating a new entrance. Work was completed on new dressing rooms in the resale shop, and some improved efficiencies in the food pantry. Delays in the reopening have been caused by a series of construction setbacks, including a change of contractors midway through the process.

The nonprofit has been working from its administration building temporarily, to meet the needs of clients beyond food and clothing issues. With over 200 volunteers, community donations of food, clothing and household goods, and groceries purchased from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the agency typically serves more than 1,500 families each month. Their services reach 27 communities, including Alsip, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Garden Homes, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Homewood, Markham, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Posen, Robbins, Tinley Park and Worth.

Anyone needing food assistance while Together We Cope's food pantry is unavailable can go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository website, www.chicagosfoodbank.org, and click on the “Find Food” button to find a food pantry near them. The agency has also set up a makeshift food pantry at its administrative offices, for emergency cases.

Together We Cope is also still accepting monetary donations via its website.