Dusty Snow and Maria Martin wanted to help burdened families and share some mother-daughter bonding time when they opened their thrift shop in Niles.

“I opened the business because I have six grandchildren,” said Snow, a mother of five children — four now grown.

Snow and 23-year-old Martin, a Sawyer resident with three children, have spent many hours scouring yard sales for good deals to keep their families clothed. This sparked a business idea.

“We should just open a store and have everything here,” Snow said.

Snow raised her family in Sawyer and lived with her husband, Don, in Georgia for a short time before moving to Niles. A nurse by trade, Snow was unemployed, and although she enjoyed reuniting with her children, she wanted something else to occupy her time as well.

“I feel like we also did this to have some bonding time,” Snow said. “I always thought it would be neat to do it. I love to help others, and I know Maria does, too.”

The mother-daughter duo opened Second Time Around, located in a former electric business, July 16 on East Main Street.

Although the store is a for-profit business, Snow has been donating some merchandise to families in need. She also keeps her prices very low: Most items are $2 and under; jeans are $3 and coats are $3 to $5. One of several rooms in the store offers two for $1 or “stuff a bag” deals.

“People like Maria can go shopping with $20 and walk out with something,” Snow said.

The store carries clothing from newborn to adult sizes; toys; kitchen supplies such as dishes and small appliances; home decor; and shoes and accessories.

“We don’t take anything that has stains or holes in it,” Martin said.

The rooms are categorized by sizes, and one room contains merchandise exclusively from a woman who recently divorced; all proceeds benefit her.

“The reason I take anything is, if a fire victim walks in, they only have so much money,” Snow said.

Second Time Around works with the Family Independence Agencies in Cass and Berrien counties, Polly’s Place, Ferry Street Resource Center, the Red Cross and the Women’s Care Center for referrals.

Preferred customer cards are available, which give 10 percent off purchases with a donation and 50 percent off purchases on the 10th visit. Second Time Around has also promoted its business through Craig’s List, which has brought in many new customers.

“There’s been a lot of customers who’ve stayed with us,” Snow said.

Second Time Around is located at 1340 East Main St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. It can be reached at (269) 612-7038. Visit it online at http://secondtimearoundniles.webs.com or on Facebook.