The successful launch of Chaplaincy Health Care’s new thrift store in Kennewick last year prompted the opening of a second store in Richland.

The nonprofit, which provides hospice, palliative and grief care and behavioral health services, opened a second thrift store — also called Repeat Boutique — in the Richland Uptown Shopping Center in March. It’s next door to Octopus’ Garden.

“The success of our first thrift store completely exceeded our expectations. A location in Richland will help us reach more shoppers and more people who want to donate their items to support a great cause — hospice,” said Gary Castillo, executive director of Chaplaincy, in a statement.

Revenue from sales is used to enhance and support hospice services, both in-home and at the Hospice House in Kennewick.

Rita Leach, the Richland store manager, already knows the shop will be successful.

“The day we opened we had people waiting for the doors to open. It was a steady flow all day,” she said.

Leach and her husband Bill had been volunteering at the Kennewick store since June.

The Leaches owned The Bunker, a military surplus store in Richland, for two years, making them well suited to running the shop, said Leslie Streeter, Chaplaincy’s director of business development and operations.

“They have a ton of retail experience,” she said.

The new store is brightly lit and well organized. The property owner added new flooring before it opened on March 22, Rita Leach said.

Donations of shelving and cabinetry came from the Kennewick Hallmark store, which closed in January, Streeter said.

Furniture is a popular item at the downtown Kennewick Repeat Boutique, which opened in March last year at 22 W. Kennewick Ave.

“There are some days at the Kennewick store where we will get a dining set in through the back door and set it on the floor. It’s not even priced yet and someone will ask, ‘Is that for sale?’ ” Streeter said, adding these kinds of quick deals occur regularly.

Many of the store’s donations come from families served by Chaplaincy after their loved one dies. Adult children, who already have established households, often don’t know what to do with their deceased family members’ belongings, so they turn to the Repeat Boutique, Streeter said.

The Richland store will feature the same kind of merchandise as in Kennewick: gently used clothing and accessories for men and women; household items; furniture, home décor and more.

The Kennewick store still has a few gowns leftover from the original allotment donated by now shuttered Purple Parasol, which used to occupy the storefront, as well as donated evening and prom dresses. “We’ve got a good size formal wear section,” Streeter said.

Some formal wear also is available at the Richland store.

Both Repeat Boutique locations are staffed by volunteers and one full-time employee.

About 45 volunteers work in Kennewick, and the Richland store needs more, as there are currently about 20.

“The volunteers make the store what it is. They are so dedicated and they don’t miss a shift. They are amazing,” Streeter said.

Interested volunteers may call 509-783-7416 or ask for a volunteer application at either store.

The Richland store’s shopping and donation hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday.