Lumber company sells land to charity

KENMORE

A 54-year-old lumber company has sold its buildings and land to the Society of St. Vincent, which plans to open what will be the largest of its seven thrift stores in King County.

Using tax-exempt bonds, the Catholic charitable organization bought the $3.65 million Kenmore property at 7304 N.E. Bothell Way just in time for its 80th anniversary celebration.

The organization will bring 30 jobs to the city of more than 17,100 people when it opens to the public Feb. 18. A grand opening is scheduled March 1.

Dave Koenigs, St. Vincent de Paul executive director, said the 19,160-square-foot retail building and 40,335-square-foot storage yard and outbuildings will help the organization expand its recycling and appliance programs, while providing more storage space for donations.

Richard Bray, director of development, said buying the Knoll Lumber property was an opportunity for the organization to run a store in northeast King County, where space is at a premium.

Craig Knoll, who operates Knoll Lumber in Monroe, said he is delighted St. Vincent de Paul bought the property. He said he turned down a higher offer, $150,000 more, in favor of the charity.

"They're a tremendous asset to the neighborhood," he said.

Koenigs said he appreciates Knoll's help and hopes other people will volunteer to help clean and paint the new store. Office carpeting also is needed.

"We want to continue to call forth grass-roots efforts to partner with us to help our neighbors in need . . . St. Vincent de Paul has always operated on the grass-roots level - people coming forth to give of themselves," Koenigs said.

Bray said volunteers logged 104,000 hours last year. He said the heaviest concentration of people helped is in the University District and Rainier Valley. In the Eastside, the organization helped 4,007 people - mostly in east Bellevue.

But Bray said the working poor are not the only people the organization helps. Those working $60,000 jobs have turned to St. Vincent de Paul when their resources were tapped because of a sick child, for instance, he said.

"Even people doing quite well can have a tragedy where they are in need," he said.

Lisa L. Diaz phone message number is 425-464-2376. Her e-mail address is ldiaz@seattletimes.co.