Mission Mart makes it to Morton

Officials say it has been in planning for years, but Morton will be home to a new South Side Mission Mart by next month.

Since 1925, the South Side Mission has been a staple in the Central Illinois community, bringing assistance and sustenance to less fortunate residents in the area.

Throughout the years, those who were without money or a home have been able to rely on the services of the South Side Mission to get through difficult times.

The South Side Mission — named one of the top 10 grassroots ministries in World Magazine last year — has grown as the need increases. And, particularly now, the mission’s existence is important to those who have been unable to prosper.

The South Side Mission, which relies on donations from residents throughout the Tri-County area, opened several Mission Marts to offer the public items for their homes and families at a reasonable cost. Proceeds from sales at each Mission Mart help fund the ministries of South Side Mission. 

Currently, three stores in the Peoria area offer shoppers furniture, collectibles, sporting goods, housewares, books and media, and clothing and toys. With two stores in Peoria and one in East Peoria, the South Side Mission has been able to offer many of its items to a wide customer base.

Meg Newell, spokeswoman for the South Side Mission, said the Mission Marts have been a great revenue source for the mission. However, Newell, a Mortonite, has long desired to have a Mission Mart located in Morton.

Come Oct. 1, that desire will be fulfilled. Morton will have its first South Side Mission Mart.

Work is currently underway at the Field Shopping Center, located off South Main Street, to open one of the mission’s largest stores. The new facility provides about 8,400 square feet of space for the mission.

“It is a perfect place for the mission to be, because Morton is one of the more supportive communities,” Newell said.

Matt Sommer, associate executive director of retail, has difficulty hiding his excitement for the new store in Morton.

“This store is twice the size of our Sterling Avenue, store and twice the size of our Knoxville Avenue store,” Sommer said.

The large amount of space is an added bonus for the Mission Marts because it offers storage space for excess inventory.

“We’re blessed with so much stuff,” Sommer said. “And, we’re real big on being logistically correct.

“This is the facility that we’ve dreamed of,” he added.

The Morton location was not a recent idea, however. Newell and Sommer both have been planning on grabbing a spot in the pumpkin capital for a while now.

“(Sommer) has always been thinking about it,” Newell said. “We were really just waiting for the right property.”

Sommer will move his offices to the Morton facility to help get the place started.

“I want to get people hired and working in another store to get the experience,” Sommer said. “We get the blessing when we hire people.

“It’s just a cool community,” he said of Morton. “We’re going to put everything into it and we’re going to give back to the community.”

South Side Mission officials have big plans for the Morton facility.

“I envision this will be the flagship of the Mission Marts,” Newell said.

Recognizing the idea that most Mortonites are financially comfortable, Newell is reluctant to ignore the fact that there are plenty of people in the community that need assistance.

“I’ve been living here for 13 years,” she said. “Morton is a wealthy community, but, there are a lot of people that make sacrifices so they can live here. Their family means so much to them.

“Those are the people we are looking to help,” she added. “If you want to see the person in need, just look in the mirror. They are just like you.”

Sommer said Morton is a great location because it is closer to Bloomington and Congerville. Both communities are hefty supporters of the South Side Mission, he added.

“This is where God wants us to be right now,” he said. “Morton is so good to us. It’s going to be exciting.”

Volunteers from Morton were on their hands and knees Friday painting and preparing the store for its grand opening next month.

“With these guys investing their time in us, it helps keep our costs down,” Sommer said.

Newell said she wants to have a preview opening for local supporters to get a glimpse of the new facility before it opens to the public.

Sommer said he is looking for people interested in volunteering at the new Morton Mission Mart. To inquire about helping, send an e-mail to volunteer@southsidemission.org.

“We’re giving people that want to volunteer a chance to give back,” Sommer said. “We’d love to get volunteers who could run the register.”