Sorter Vanessa Conteras, right, and head sorter Rose Herrera sort donations on Saturday morning, July 9, 2011, at Gracie’s Family Thrift Store in Tempe. One of the Valley’s oldest thrift stores, Gracie’s Family Thrift Store, was awarded a state grant that will turn the church-owned land into housing for a low-income residents and expand the thrift shop and ministry space. Gracie’s is beloved in the community, and has an eclectic group of loyal shoppers. Many elderly residents have shopped the store for decades. Gracie’s Family Thrift Store, owned by Grace Community Church, has operated since 1976. More than $100,000 of clothing and household items are donated yearly to the poor and needy. The will continue to own the property while leasing the land to the land developer. Site will include 74 apartment for affordable housing.(Photo by Josh Radtke/The Arizona Republic)

Sorter Vanessa Conteras, right, and head sorter Rose Herrera sort donations on Saturday morning, July 9, 2011, at Gracie’s Family Thrift Store in Tempe. One of the Valley’s oldest thrift stores, Gracie’s Family Thrift Store, was awarded a state grant that will turn the church-owned land into housing for a low-income residents and expand the thrift shop and ministry space. Gracie’s is beloved in the community, and has an eclectic group of loyal shoppers. Many elderly residents have shopped the store for decades. Gracie’s Family Thrift Store, owned by Grace Community Church, has operated since 1976. More than $100,000 of clothing and household items are donated yearly to the poor and needy. The will continue to own the property while leasing the land to the land developer. Site will include 74 apartment for affordable housing.(Photo by Josh Radtke/The Arizona Republic)