Second Chance Stories

How often does Tamaria Kaluza come to the Second Chance Emporium in La Grange? “My daughter got me coming here every week,” the O’Quinn resident said recently on a visit to the non-profit thrift shop.

During this trip, Kaluza found a bird cage for sale, the perfect thing for her two fischers, small green, blue and orange parrots. Kaluza’s fischers are five and seven years old, and she loves them. “I may get another bird if my husband allows me,” she joked. 

And if they can work out the details, Kaluza has a home for a new, feathered friend.

Bird cages, boots, clothing, kitchen gear — anything you can imagine is generally for sale at some time at Second Chance. The store is open two days a week, opening at 9 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and staying open until three in the afternoon.

Volunteers from local churches operate Second Chance and proceeds from sales go to local social service charities. Second Chance gives regular grants to a group of established agencies, but makes special donations throughout the year to other non-profits. 

Any non-profit that would like to apply for one of these special grants should contact Second Chance for an application. Drop by the office in the donations building on West Travis Street, at the foot of the Colorado River bridge, or call 968-6070. 

And, remember, Second Chance depends on donations to fill the shelves and hangers. If you have clothing, dishware, furniture, even an uninhabited bird cage, bring it by Second Chance during the week. It will soon be on the shelves for sale.

Tamaria Kaluza will be there looking even if her daughter, who first told her about Second Chance, will not. “She moved away,” says Kaluza, “but I’m still coming!”