Second Chance Thrift Store: Serving the Community, One Sale at a Time

(This article was written by Beth Marie Cantu Ensign and was featured in the January 2026 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)

On Saturday mornings, the doors of Second Chance Thrift Store open to more than just bargain hunters. They open to a community built on a sense of purpose that goes far beyond making a sale. Dena Herrera, the store’s manager and volunteer, is usually right in the middle of it all, thriving in what she calls the “hustle and bustle” of the space.

Dena’s journey with Second Chance began simply. “I love thrift stores. I walked in. They said, ‘We need volunteers,’ so the next Saturday I started.” Eight months later, the store needed a manager. Despite not being a member of First Methodist Church, Dena was encouraged to step into the role due to her passion for the project.

Second Chance Thrift Store itself was also born out of opportunity. The space that houses the store was donated to the church. However, it remained empty for a few years before church volunteers decided to turn it into a donation-based thrift shop to help the community. What started as an idea soon became a massive ministry project of First Methodist Church.

The name “Second Chance” reflects the heart of the store’s mission. “The ladies that started the store wanted to give items that were donated a second chance to help other people,” Dena said.

What sets the store apart from other thrifts in the area is a combination of affordability, quality, and purpose.

As it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, proceeds from the thrift store are reinvested locally, supporting church needs as well as ministries and charities throughout the city of Harlingen. However, Dena emphasized that the store operates independently. She estimates about two thirds of the volunteers do not go to the church, highlighting how the store has grown into a community-wide effort.

Second Chance also serves as a place of connection. “We see customers every week… we know a lot of them by name,” Dena said.

With approximately 27 rooms, the work is constant. “[Volunteers] sort the stuff… we tag the clothes… organize, hang up, put the items out for sale,” Dena said. Saturdays, especially during Market Days and summer months, are when help is needed most.

Looking ahead, Dena hopes to continue improving the store for customers so the cycle of giving can continue. “We want to continue bettering the store for customers so that they keep coming back and we can keep giving to the community,” she said.

At Second Chance Thrift Store, every item, every volunteer, and every shopper plays a role in a mission rooted in service—proof that sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from giving something a second chance.