So, you might ask, “What the heck is a goffering iron?” If you ask Midcoast Humane Thrift Shop Manager Barry Hustins, he will tell you it was used many years ago to iron pleats in shirts.

Hustins knows this because it is one of the unusual items donated to the thrift shop at 153 Townsend Ave. over the more than 20 years since Lorraine Nickerson opened it. Then known as “Creature Comforts” and supporting  Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb, when the local shelter merged with Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick in 2016, the two organizations became Midcoast Humane and the thrift shop’s name now reflects that.

The shop is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its many customers on a recent Tuesday gave ample proof that it is popular year round. Postings on the store’s Facebook page show some of the items offered for sale.

The shop is filled with donated clothing, small decorative household and other goods. Hustins makes sure the shop opens and is maintained with inventory.

Donations, accepted only when the shop is open, are sorted and put on display. “We have a lot of women’s clothing,” he said. “Some area merchants are generous and will donate new stuff.” And Tony Heyl, owner of Silver Lining, helps by appraising jewelry.

Hustins added, “We have a lot of collectibles and nice jewelry. You have to look through everything.” And are there treasures? “We sorted through some less expensive stuff like glass beads and found a diamond and ruby ring.”

Hustins explained donations need to be “clean and working.”

“No electronics, computers or large appliances.” Each spring, seasonal workers make use of the shop’s household items and bedding when they set up their homes.

Hustins has worked in the animal industry and had pets most of his life. He has managed the thrift shop for five years and worked at the Lincoln County animal shelter before that.

For 20 years, he and Rachel Leeman took care of the rabbits at Marylouise Cowan’s Fort Cowan Bunny Barracks on Southport. Hustins, who lived in Massachusetts then, raised and showed rabbits and he and Cowan knew each other from the show circuit.

Hustins recalled, Cowan said she needed extra help, and he agreed to come north for what was supposed to be six months. He was there for 20 years.

When Cowan died, the rabbits were left to Hustins and Bourette. “I still raise and show the descendants of her rabbits,” Hustins said. They are in good hands: Hustins’ parrot Stanley has been with him 34 years.   

At the thrift store, Hustins is assisted by volunteers, among them Angel Ames and Tam Back. Anyone wishing to volunteer is invited to stop by the store. Once overhead is paid, all proceeds from the thrift shop go to the animal shelter for whatever is needed at the moment.  Hustins said they plan to keep the shop where it is, and the next goal is raising enough to pave the store’s parking lot.

To donate items to the shop, bring them during business hours; tax receipts are available for donors. Financial contributions can be brought to the store or mailed to the shelter in Brunswick at 5 Industrial Pkwy, Brunswick, ME 04011. For more information, call 449-6082.

After managing the shop for years, Hustins has this advice for customers: “If you see it, you’d better get it.”