The “Little Yellow House” in Downingtown is poised to make a bigger difference in the lives of Coatesville area residents. The Brandywine Consignment Shop reopened its doors yesterday to a bigger space and bigger ambitions.

“We’re thrilled with the new space!” shop manager Nancy Oliver said in announcing the completion of six months of expansion work. “It means more showroom space for our consigners’ goods and therefore more opportunity for shoppers to find ‘that special thing’ they just can’t live without. But we’re doing much more than that. The expanded space is increasing our bottom line and supporting affordable healthcare for the community.”

Shop profits donated to the Brandywine Center’s health and wellness programs are projected to double to $100,000 per year because of the expansion. Since 1992, the consignment efforts of a small staff and more than 100 volunteers have generated nearly $1 million for the primary, dental, prenatal and behavioral health care of more than 10,000 people annually.

“The ‘Little Yellow House’ did great things for many people for many years,” board chairman Dale Polite said. “Now with the expanded space, the ‘Yellow House’ will continue to do even more. … That’s why we are ‘The little yellow house with a big mission.’”

New shop hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. A special public open house is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to hosting unique holiday shopping items all season long, the Brandywine Consignment Shop will also collect jars of peanut butter and/or canned fruit in water to support the Chester County Food Bank.

Check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the expansion project here.