A revised plan for the expansion of the Ye Old Thrift Shoppe in Lady Lake would spare the lives of historic live oak trees once lauded for their longevity.
The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation struck out with the Lady Lake Commission in September with its planned expansion at its location on Lady Lake Boulevard.
Commissioner Paul Hannan was vehemently opposed to the removal of the 200-year-old trees.
“I will do whatever it takes to stop you from removing those trees, even if I have to tie myself to one of them,” Hannan told the auxiliary representatives.
The same trees had been celebrated in 2018 by the auxiliary. Lady Lake Mayor Jim Richards was part of the celebration, reading a proclamation to honor the trees.
Representatives of the hospital’s auxiliary foundation are scheduled to make another pitch for the thrift shop expansion plan at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 in a special meeting before the commission.
A significant source of fundraising for the hospital’s auxiliary foundation has been rooted in Ye Old Thrift Shoppe, which began operation in 2008 at 106 W. Lady Lake Blvd. The original home for the thrift shop was a two-story building that had served as the first general store in Lady Lake for nearly 100 years. Ye Old Thrift Shoppe’s main operations consist of selling donated household items, including home decor, books, clothing, shoes, linens, jewelry, furniture and collectibles.
The thrift shop has been good for the hospital, but it has also been a solid producer for the Town of Lady Lake, ringing up an average of $3,000 per month in sales tax.
