Fowler Salvation Army closing

Plans to expand Fowler Street that wiil take its current building have forced the Salvation Army to move its Family Store.

They've purchased an old furniture store at the corner of Six Mile Cypress Parkway and U.S. 41 where they plan to relocate. The non-profit agency, which sees some 3,400 repeat customers each year at its thrift store, paid $3.5 million for the 20,000 square foot facility.

Proceeds from the store fully fund the Crossroads Program, which is a six-month voluntary program for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The program graduates up to 30 men during twice a year.

Megan Spears, resource management director, said the store will likely open in February, but officials are unsure when the Fowler Avenue store will close.

"I'm not sure how things are going to progress with FDOT," she said of the Fowler Street expansion. "We will have to work with them to see how plans are unfolding."

When the store closes, though, officials will have to find a new home in the area for their voucher program.

"Our clientele is limited in their transportation," said Spears. "I think the commute (to the new store) will be too long."

The voucher program works in conjunction with the United Way and is a part of the crisis management program.

"When people are struggling to make ends meet, we can give them assistance with food from our pantry, referrals for other agencies and vouchers for the family store for things like furniture, clothing and household items," Spears said.

She said the program has seen a 20 percent increase in the first 10 months of 2007 over the same time period in 2006.

The store on Fowler Street opened in 1981. The Florida Department of Transportation paid the Salvation Army $2 million for the property, which housed the 18,000 square foot store.

The Salvation Army has been serving Lee County since 1951. The organization provides shelter for the homeless, assistance with housing and employment, transitional living, medical help and a food pantry.