GraceWorks Ministries has more than doubled the size of its thrift store at 104 Southeast Parkway in Franklin, growing the space from 28,000 square feet to 65,000 square feet in a move organizers say will let the nonprofit help more people than ever. The expanded store has a new layout and offers furniture, home decor, boutique clothing, baby items, and crafts, giving shoppers a retail experience that looks and feels different.
The expansion was featured on News Channel 5 Nashville, which toured the new layout and the array of items now on offer. FranklinIs published a report about the store's expansion on October 1, 2026.
That revenue matters because of how GraceWorks structures its finances. Thrift store operations are built to cover the nonprofit's administrative overhead, which the organization says ensures that every dollar given as a direct monetary donation goes straight into food, shelter, and financial assistance programs rather than into keeping the lights on.
A Lease Scare at the Property
Williamson, Inc. reported that in early 2021, California-based manufacturer FlexMet purchased the 104 Southeast Parkway property and told GraceWorks its long-term lease could not be renewed past June 2023. At the time, GraceWorks was renting roughly 25,000 square feet and had already been forced to split its administrative staff off into a separate municipal building.
GraceWorks had begun a feasibility study and recognized it needed more space before the lease news. During COVID, the organization saw a 300% increase in requests.
Thousands of Williamson County Residents Rely on the Safety Net
GraceWorks was established in 1995 by Williamson County citizens and faith leaders to provide support, food, and shelter to local residents facing financial hardship or poverty. Its work includes supporting local residents facing hardship.
It's a striking figure given Williamson County's reputation as one of Tennessee's wealthiest counties. U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data cited by USAFacts shows that 4.6% of county residents lived below the federal poverty line in 2024; about 12,000 people did so over the 2020–2024 period.
That local pressure mirrors a statewide trend. Second Harvest Food Bank reported that food insecurity in Tennessee had reached its highest level in years.
Reaching Beyond the Franklin Store
GraceWorks' footprint doesn't stop at its Franklin campus. The nonprofit also holds monthly Mobile Food Pantry events.
The organization's seasonal logistics load is heaviest around the holidays, when its Manger program lets low-income parents select Christmas gifts for their kids. The program helps at least 2,000 children annually.
GraceWorks has also promoted thrift shopping in a post about thrift shopping.
The expanded thrift store at 104 Southeast Parkway is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, giving Franklin shoppers more room to browse furniture, home goods, boutique finds, baby items, and crafts — all while funding a safety net that thousands of Williamson County families continue to depend on.
