Small Business Stories: Paws Crossed Thrift Store

Photo: Lisa Overocker, Executive Director, picking up a load of pet food for their pantry.

Make a Difference with Paws Crossed Thrift Store!

Paws Crossed Thrift Store, located at 506 N Main in Newton, is so much more than a thrift store. Executive Director, Lisa Overocker, and her family’s story and experience has impacted the mission and vision of their business.

What is the mission of your business?   

“The mission of our nonprofit business is to help people in the community keep their pets during temporary hardships. We believe that no one should have to give up their pets during a temporary situation to have regrets later when things get better. Pets are family members to most and provide comfort during difficult times, so we believe that times like this is when they need them the most.”

Why did you decide to start your business?

“We were coming up on the 10 year anniversary of our house fire.  That experience turned our lives upside down. Even after 10 years, it was something that often haunted our dreams. We have a grooming salon in the riverside area in Wichita (Gentle Hands K-9 Boutique) and the space next door to us became available and we decided to rent it. After many nights of prayers and conversations, Paws Crossed Thrift Store, Inc was born in April 2019. This was our way to help people going through the same thing we had gone through and since we had such a passion for pets, we wanted to help the pets since, at that time, there was not much help for the pets. This all came about before the pandemic hit. Once the pandemic hit, we opened up our pet food pantry to the public to not only help disaster victims, but to help anyone going through a temporary hardship. So starting this business was a very personal mission of ours.”

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

“I see this business thriving in 5 years and hopefully adding more programs to help pets in need. My goal is to eventually have enough funds available to be able to pay for boarding for temporary situations so families can focus on their needs, to be able to help with vet bills for injuries that happened during a natural disaster, and to be able to buy a box truck to have a way to take our pet food pantry mobile.”

To learn more about Paws Crossed Thrift Store, you can check them out on Facebook, facebook.com/pawscrossedthrift, or give them a call at (316) 530-7609.

Are you a small business Chamber member who would like to share your story? You can learn more about our Small Business Stories campaign and how to participate at www.newtonchamberks.org//may-feature-small-business-stories/