The Salvation Army is opening a retail store in Greenbrier that will benefit shoppers and hundreds of men in the charity's rehabilitation program.

A Salvation Army Family Store is taking over the 15,000-square-foot building that formerly housed a La-z-Boy Furniture Gallery at Eden Way North and Greenbrier Parkway. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2008.

During the grand opening celebration, prizes will be given out every hour, including a David Wright autographed baseball, certificates for student massages, an Ethan Allen piece of furniture and DVD players.

Radio station 92.9 FM The Wave will broadcast live from the store from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Salvation Army's other Chesapeake store at 1935 S. Military Hwy. closed last weekend, and those items will be distributed between other area stores.

Maj. Dewey Alderson, administrator of the Hampton Roads adult rehabilitation center, said the location across from Greenbrier Mall is more centrally located.

The building received a makeover that included new carpeting and tile, fresh paint and minor electrical work in preparation of this weekend's opening.

Discount furniture; men's, women's and children's clothing; bric-a-brac; electronics; books; small appliances; household goods; antiques and more can be found at the new store.

A donation station is available in the rear of the facility.

"We've been saving items for two months," said Alderson as he looked around the already fully stocked store. "People tend to think of a thrift store, but this is different. Our items are in excellent condition."

Each of the donated items is thoroughly checked by the participants in the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program as part of their work therapy.

"They repair furniture, sort clothing, hang clothes and unload trucks," said Alderson, noting 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to the operation of the rehabilitation centers.

"We have 123 beds in our facility on Virginia Beach Boulevard. We have 250 men in the program every year," Alderson said. "We have a waiting list to get into the free, six-month program."

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net [1] By Sandra J. Pennecke