10/23/2026
Main Street Spotlight: Main Street Thrift Where Every Purchase Helps Build Hope
What if a pair of jeans, a piece of furniture, or a simple trip to the thrift store could help a family in our community find a place to call home?
On South Main Street in Springhill, that possibility becomes a reality every day at Main Street Thrift. What may look like an ordinary thrift store from the outside is part of something much bigger, a mission rooted in faith, compassion, and the belief that every family deserves a safe, decent place to live.
Owned and operated by the Fuller Center of Webster, Main Street Thrift turns donated goods and everyday purchases into an investment in local families. Every bargain discovered, every item donated, and every dollar spent helps support the Fuller Center's work to provide affordable housing and build a stronger community.
In a time when families are working hard to make every dollar count, Main Street Thrift offers more than affordable shopping. It offers an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors, for gently used items to find a second home, and for a local purchase to make a lasting difference right here in Springhill.
Behind this mission is Derek Melancon, executive director of the Fuller Center of Webster, whose commitment to affordable housing and community service has helped make Main Street Thrift an important part of downtown Springhill.
The story of Main Street Thrift began with an idea from Shan Gale Robinson, who served on the Fuller Center's board. In 2015, she suggested opening a thrift store to generate a steady source of income to help support the organization's work. With funding available to get the store started, the idea came together at just the right time. Main Street Thrift officially opened its doors around October 15, 2015.
According to Fuller Center of Webster Executive Director Derek Melancon, the store was created to help the organization become less dependent on fluctuating donations and grants while continuing its mission as a Christian-based organization.
“We needed something that was going to give us a steady income along with our grants and other donations,” Melancon explained.
Today, the proceeds from Main Street Thrift help support the Fuller Center's efforts to build homes and serve families in need.
Something for Everyone
One of the things that makes Main Street Thrift special is the variety of items shoppers can discover. From gently used clothing and shoes to furniture, jewelry, electronics, and household décor, there is always something worth browsing.
Shoppers may even find brand-new items with the original tags still attached! The store offers an affordable alternative for individuals and families looking to stretch their budgets while finding items they need.
In a time when the cost of everyday necessities continues to challenge many households, Main Street Thrift provides an opportunity to purchase clothing and other goods at a fraction of their original retail prices.
The store also attracts those who enjoy vintage and unique finds, including its participation in the area's antique trail. Whether you are searching for a practical household item, a piece of furniture, or a hidden treasure, you never know what you might find on your next visit.
The store operates with one paid staff member and two volunteers who help sort, prepare, and move donated merchandise through the shop.
Community members can support the mission by shopping at the store or donating gently used items and monetary contributions. Donations are accepted at no charge, and eligible contributions may be tax-deductible.
For Melancon, who has served as executive director of the Fuller Center since December 2012, the work is deeply connected to his belief that everyone deserves a decent place to call home.
His involvement with the organization has also given him the opportunity to participate in homebuilding projects, where he enjoys working with his hands and helping with construction-related tasks.
“I’m very strong on housing. I feel like people should always have a decent home to live in,” Melancon shared.
It is that commitment to helping others that makes Main Street Thrift an important part of the Fuller Center's broader mission.
A Commitment to Springhill and Main Street
Melancon has called the Springhill area home for approximately 41 years, and one of the things he values most about the community is its close-knit spirit.
Coming from a background that involved moving around the country, he appreciates the way people in Springhill know one another, look out for one another, and come together to support their neighbors.
He hopes to see that sense of connection continue to grow throughout the community.
That same commitment is reflected in his decision to locate Main Street Thrift downtown rather than in another commercial area.
“Main Street’s a very valuable asset to this community,” Melancon said.
He believes having more businesses downtown encourages people to visit multiple shops, creates additional activity, and benefits the city as a whole.
In 2025, an opportunity arose for the Fuller Center to purchase the building it had previously rented from Mary Daniel and her husband. They offered to finance the purchase, allowing the organization to acquire the property and establish an even stronger long-term presence on South Main Street.
Melancon sees downtown as an area with tremendous potential. He believes that improving buildings, enhancing signage, and encouraging more businesses to locate along Main Street can help bring additional visitors and investment into Springhill.
For him, supporting downtown is about more than operating a successful store. It is about investing in the future of the community.
Meet the Man Behind the Mission
Outside of his work with the Fuller Center and Main Street Thrift, Melancon enjoys working on projects around his home and participating in construction activities connected to the organization's homebuilding efforts.
Family is also an important part of his life. He has three grown children and five grandchildren, and his wife, Donna, has three grown children and two grandchildren. Together, they enjoy spending time with their blended family and are looking forward to traveling together.
Melancon describes himself as community-minded and hardworking, qualities that are evident in his commitment to affordable housing and local service.
After years of balancing his work at Springhill Medical Center with his responsibilities at the Fuller Center and Main Street Thrift, he is looking forward to retiring from the hospital in December 2026 and enjoying more opportunities to travel.
Yet his dedication to the community remains a central part of who he is.
Shop Local. Give Back. Make a Difference.
Main Street Thrift demonstrates how a local business can do more than sell merchandise. It can create opportunities, stretch family budgets, give donated items a second life, and help fund a mission that changes lives.
Every purchase helps support the Fuller Center of Webster, and every eligible donation provides another opportunity to serve the community.
The next time you are downtown, stop by Main Street Thrift at 233 South Main Street, Springhill, Louisiana 71075. Take a look around, discover a treasure, and know that your support helps make a difference right here at home.
When you shop Main Street Thrift, you are doing more than finding a good deal, you are helping build a stronger community, one home at a time.
Springhill Main Street is proud to spotlight the local businesses and organizations that make our downtown special. Thank you, Main Street Thrift and the Fuller Center of Webster, for investing in our community and helping make Springhill a better place to live.
