CROZET, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – The Green Olive Tree is on the move. 

Crozet’s Christian thrift store, which opened the door at its original location back in 1979, faced demolition when the property on which it sat was sold for development. But Music Today, located just across the street, made an offer they couldn’t refuse, and a deal was made. 

“They gave us the same square footage rent,” says board member June Andrews. “And they’ve been so accommodating to have the carpets cleaned, and to remove some dividers between the rooms that we didn’t want. We’ll be using their telephone service and electricity, several things like that they have included in the rent. The only disadvantage to being over there is that people have to park on this side of the street and cross over, but they can pull up to the door and drop off donations, and then park their car.” 

The location on the north side of Three Notch’d Road closed its doors for the last time on Saturday, July 20, 2024. A few items had been moved by then, with the moving process going at full speed the following Monday. The new, improved and larger location will open on Thursday, August 1. A decision has yet to be made, but the additional space will allow the store to offer furniture, something customers have wanted to see for years. The popular bag sales will continue. 

As for who benefits from the profits, the list is long. 

“Whether it’s the Scouts of the schools or the fire department, it’s just a long list,” says Andrews. “Especially the food pantries that are in different churches. We give to the food bank in Charlottesville and also the food banks of five churches. We give scholarships to high school seniors going into college. We do four of those each year and we will repeat it as long as they keep applying and keep their grades up.” 

Things may look different, but the store’s mission remains the same. 

“As a Christian thrift store, we promote the Christian aspect of giving to us so we can give to others in the name of Christ, so that’s what our motto is,” says Andrews. “And our community has been so generous. And then the volunteers have been wonderful. We have been very thankful to have enough volunteers all the time.” 

The new locations August 1 grand opening will include a ribbon with the time yet to be determined.