The Salvation Army Family Store, newly opened at 1278 Forrest Ave. in Dover, aims to project more of a department store atmosphere over the previous thrift shops. (Delaware State News/K.I. White)

DOVER — The city’s capital is now home to a Salvation Army Family Store.

The Family Store in Dover will be joining existing Delaware locations in Wilmington, Newark and Milford.

Maj. Carmen Diaz, administrator of the Adult Rehabilitation Center of the Salvation Army, said they are excited about the store’s new location, at 1278 Forrest Ave.

“We needed one more site to reach more people,” she said, in order to improve access to what the center offers.

“Our mission is to provide human needs for people. Without the public we are lost; we need them the most.”

All revenues from the store will support the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington.

The Salvation Army operates a 78-bed facility for men and women who have completed a drug and-or alcohol detox program and are ready to put their lives back in order.

The program provides comprehensive rehabilitation, including physical fitness, work therapy, individual and group counseling and spiritual guidance for 68 men and 10 women.

Besides the in-house program, the center also provides a seven-bed transitional housing unit in the community.

The A.R.C. is funded soley through the operation of the family stores throughout the tri-state area, and is administered through the A.R.C.

The Salvation Army Family Store used to previously house Happy Harry’s Pharmacy.

Maj. Diaz said they looked at other locations before choosing Dover.

“We looked at the southern part of Delaware, too,” she said. “We looked in Rehoboth, but the property in Dover came up at the right time so we jumped on it.”

Previously known at other sites as the Salvation Army Thrift Store, the facility’s name change was part of a nationwide effort by the Salvation Army to improve its stores and give them more of a department store feel, said Major Diaz.

“It’s a different feel now. We didn’t want to call it a thrift store anymore.”

Family Stores feature a better quality of inventory, a cleaner look and a more convenient set-up, she said.

It will sell bargain-priced clothing, household items, electronics, books, toys, furniture and collectibles.

The Salvation Army also accepts donations of clothing, shoes and furniture to sell in their stores. Donation bins are outside the store.

Maj. Diaz hopes everyone donates as much as they can.

“People seem really pleased about the new store,” she said. “We need donations. We hope people help out in way that they can.”