Fulks Run resident Lisa Reedy had a dream. She used to run a non-profit community outreach in West Virginia, where she lived most of her adult life. Having grown up in Georgia, she started working in the tobacco fields from age 10 and has been working ever since. Being familiar with poverty, Lisa always wanted to help and make a difference in people’s lives.
She described her WV program as consisting of a “Christian school, daycare, thrift store, food pantry, and baby closet. We took orders once a month for Angel Food, picked it up and distributed it to the community from our building with the help of volunteers.”
Lisa married Don Reedy of Fulks Run and has been here in Fulks Run for 19 years. When she made the move, she had to close her outreach program.
Lisa missed the work, the people, and felt, as she says, “unfulfilled”.
“Being of a servant’s heart”, Lisa’s dream was to again take a leap and open a thrift store in Fulks Run.
“The thought behind opening Twice The Charm was to bring back the face-to-face contact communities used to have years ago.”
Lisa couldn’t have picked a more perfect place to open her shop. The building, last known as Valley Land, has quite a storied history with the community.
According to storyteller and Fulks Run Follies writer, Ronnie Fulk, local brothers, Charlie and Loy Crider had a store on the old Rte. 259, which is now Link Way. When the new Route 259 was established, Charlie and Loy opened the new building there in the early 1970s- Crider Brothers. They carried general merchandise and some foodstuffs.
Around 1979/1980, Ronnie Fulk and his dad, Matthew, rented the storefront and opened M&R Feed and Hardware. They carried all types of animal feed, stored in the basement of the store. You could also get an ice cream cone and play games! There were 3 pool tables, pinball machines, and foosball. M&R was known for its pool tournaments, having 40 people playing in the tournaments at its high point!
In 1985, Ronnie started working for the Post Office and his dad kept the store going for a while longer. Then, Byler Fulk bought the building from the Criders. In 1987, Byler established the Valley Land Opry House, with live music and dances. Finally, the building changed hands again, purchased by Tommy Cooper, who ran a quick stop convenience store, also serving food. Lisa rents the building from him.
The store has always been a big part of the community, so it seems only natural that Lisa Reedy would choose it to continue the tradition!
Lisa says “I want my place to be where you come to see old friends, make new friends, stop in for a quick hello, share exciting life news, or need a quick prayer about something. I decided to have a coffee bar sitting area, where I hope people come to sit and socialize. I’d love to have a building just for that, but the bills need to be paid, so I decided a thrift store would be a great way to do that, while also providing a way for the community to shop in an affordable way.”
The store’s inventory is wide and varied, from new, to gently used, antiques, and a whole room dedicated to clothing. If you need a dress for prom, winter or spring formal, or even pageant or a wedding, beautiful and modern dresses can be found there- many under $20!
Twice The Charm has chosen the new Fulks Run Fire Department as their charity, by donating a portion of the store’s proceeds to them. “Our first responders deserve respect and are to be commended for the dedication they give to the areas they serve and protect.”
Their recent opening day was a success, with an estimated 150 people stopping in.
You can often find Lisa’s business partner, Nissrin Ghulam, behind the counter. A former translator for Sentara, Nissrin is sure to give you a warm welcome. She also puts together the outfits you can see throughout the store and on their Facebook page. Above her head, behind the counter, you can see an aerial shot of the building, taken many years ago.
Donations are accepted, gift wrapping and sewing repairs are available at the store also. Donations that cannot be dropped off during business hours can be left by the double doors on the porch. Free items are left occasionally on tables by the single door. Please don’t confuse the two!
As history and Ronnie Fulk tell it- over the years, each local store had its own group of “loafers”. They were locals who hung around inside or outside the stores- different groups for different stores. Maybe, in time, Twice The Charm will gather its own new generation of regulars, or “loafers”!
Store hours right now are Monday, Thursday, Friday 10am-6pm. Saturdays 9am-6pm As the weather gets warmer, they will be extending hours of operation. Drop on by, say hi to Nissrin and Lisa, have a cup of coffee, stay awhile and browse! You never know what you might find there!
Twice The Charm
12121 Brocks Gap Road (at the corner of Little Dry River Rd)
Fulks Run, VA 22830
540-560-1995
Lisa Reedy, owner
Nissrin Ghulam
