Whether it's a soft economy prompting added frugality, entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities or people just trying to stretch their dollars, there's lots of activity across the landscape of thrift and second-hand stores in Helena.

Two new thrift stores have opened in Helena in recent months. In August, the Montana Veterans Foundation Thrift Store opened its doors on Joslyn Street. That business helps veterans who have been homeless develop new job skills as they move toward self-sufficiency.

Just last week, Monte and Susan Jones opened the Working 4 God Ministries Thrift Store, on Cedar Street in the old Champion Auto Parts building.

Monte Jones was previously with the Salvation Army, but said that when that organization asked him to transfer, he declined, saying he liked Helena too much to leave.

So, he opened his own second-hand store. Jones said that once the business is up and running, he plans to accept grant applications from groups around town, with money distributed to groups that the board of directors and advisory board believe are working toward the ministry's mission.

Jones said he believes Helena can support another second-hand store.

"I had experience with the Salvation Army in doing it," he said. "With the economy taking a downturn, people are looking for a way to make ends meet, and they're struggling."

Jones said he wanted to be within a mile of the other thrift stores in town, since many shoppers set out to hit every bargain stop in town on one trip.

Meanwhile, at one of Helena's long-standing thrift stores, expansion may be on the horizon. Good Samaritan Ministries is looking to expand its North Montana Avenue store and human service center into the space that was previously occupied by Snyder's Drug. The drug store closed this summer.

The director of Good Samaritan said that some of the 14,000 square feet of new space will be devoted to retail, while offices for the ministries' social services will also move.

"We're looking to become more professional and put offices next door with ceilings on them," Theresa Ortega said. "When the offices were built in this (current) space, they were built not knowing how the agency would grow, and we've completely outgrown them."

Donations fund everything Good Samaritan does, which last year included putting $148,000 back into the community.

"I think thrift stores have done well regardless of the economy because of who we are," Ortega said.

Good Samaritan gave assistance to both thrift stores that opened in Helena recently.

"I think there's room for us all," Ortega said. "You always think, is it going to be a problem, but competition makes you stronger."

Yet another purveyor of second-hand products is branching out in an effort to raise more money for the organization - in this case, by taking advantage of Helena's reputation as an arts community.

The Habitat for Humanity Re-Store on National Avenue is setting aside a portion of its retail space for a new art gallery, which will formally open on Friday with an open house from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The Re-Store sells gently used or leftover building materials and furnishings. It's been open since 2003 and accounts for around 20 percent of Habitat's annual budget, according to director Melony Bruhn.

"We're looking to diversify our revenue stream, because traditional sources for us have been hard-hit," Bruhn said of the opening of The Gallery. Habitat has built 28 homes in Helena since 1992, but only one this year due to reduced funding.

Volunteer Chris Horner said the 400 square-foot gallery will have works from some two dozen local artists, some pieces donated and some consigned. Pottery, stained glass, painting, quilting, jewelry and photography will all be featured, she said.

"The main idea is for the public to be able to get great art for a good cause, and the proceeds will help us build houses," she said.

Bruhn said business at the Re-Store has been brisk over the past 12 months.

"People are rebuilding, fixing and remodeling rather than doing new construction," she said. "They're trying to make do with what they have."

John Harrington: 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com