Lady Bug Thrift is ministry

For those who work at the Lady Bug Thrift Shop in New Richland, the store is more than just a place to sell merchandise; it's a ministry.

 

Dave and Paulette Krampitz bought the Lady Bug Thrift Shop from Paulette's mom, Linda Wagner, in January 2025. At just around that same time, the neighboring former drug store-come-craft store came up for sale, and the couple decided to purchase it, reopening a passage between the two shops that had already existed long ago, thus doubling the size of the consignment shop.

 

At first, Paulette Krampitz was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items coming into the store on consignment.

 

“Get used to it,” said her mother, unsympathetically. Having owned the store for 12 years, Wagner was completely familiar with the hectic pace.

 

“I can't get used to it!” Krampitz protested. “I can't handle any more of this stuff coming in!”

 

Krampitz was almost ready to throw in the towel, but true to her faith, she prayed about the situation. 

 

And then Krampitz got in another whole trailer full of vintage merchandise from South Dakota. 

 

Boxes littered the shop when Annette Strenge, one of Krampitz's former classmates, walked in and asked, “Do you need help?” Krampitz needed help, and Strenge wanted to volunteer her time in order to “pay it forward.” It was a match made in heaven.

 

Everyone has their special niche at the shop. Strenge handles the social media side of the business, reporting all of the shop's events on Facebook. “I'm always following them [Krampitz, Wagner, and Brenda Vansyckle] around with a camera,” said Strenge, but laments, “I never have it when they're doing something funny!” Wagner researches incoming items on the internet to find out what they commonly sell for, but, due to her years of experience in the business, she knows the value of many items already. “Mom's great,” said Krampitz. “She's very knowledgeable in that.”

 

As for Krampitz herself, “I crack the whip,” she jokes. But of all her children, Wagner says Krampitz was made for this job. Even before Krampitz took over the shop, Wagner said she could tell when Krampitz had been there to help, because, “Everything was kind of rearranged in cute little displays.”

 

Of course, unloading and marking prices on new merchandise is a big job that everyone at the shop helps with. It starts with appointments that occur for three months straight, at which approximately three families a day come to the shop to drop off boxes of items they want to sell.

 

With 250-plus consigners, Krampitz says “We have no idea what's coming in each box.”

 

The Lady Bug receives items from individuals as far off as the Twin Cities' suburbs and Wisconsin, some of whom have been dealing with the Lady Bug for decades.

 

“Some consignment stores in the Twin Cities take a higher percentage,” said Strenge, “and [...] some people like to support a smaller town, too, and that's one way they can do that: by bringing their stuff here.”

 

In fact, so many people want to consign that the shop has a waiting list of people who want to sell items via consignment. The shop simply doesn't have enough space to house everyone's merchandise. “We'd have to buy the whole block,” said Krampitz.

 

The shop also receives donations from individuals who want to see the shop stay in business. “They like what we're doing,” said Krampitz.

 

Ministry

Wagner sums up what makes the Lady Bug special: “It's not just a store; it's also a ministry.”

At times, those who come to shop are already carrying a heavy load when they enter – some issue or problem for which they need a listening ear. “They'll talk about it,” said Wagner. “They'll get some spiritual support.”

 

“We've given away many Bibles,” Krampitz adds. “We've prayed over people. We've ministered to them.”

 

All three talk about The Wedding Dress in capital letters as an episode of divine synchronicity at the shop. A lady had explained to Krampitz that her daughter didn't get married and wanted to donate her wedding dress to the shop. No wedding dress appeared, and Krampitz forgot all about it until the following season when a young woman was in the shop looking for a wedding dress, or even just something that could be used as a wedding dress, while her mother, who wasn't even looking for it, just happened to find something perfect for mother-of-the-bride. In walked the lady who had previously talked of donating a wedding dress.

 

Krampitz didn't even make the connection. All she thought was, “I don't take wedding dresses!” thinking it would open a can of worms with all sorts of people wanting to sell wedding or prom dresses. But, struck by a sudden inspiration, Krampitz said, “What size is that wedding dress?” She looked at the bride-to-be. It was her size. Krampitz told her, “I think you better go try this dress on.”

 

The wedding dress fit to a T. The young lady came out of the dressing room beaming. “It didn't need any alterations or anything!” Krampitz narrated.

 

When the young lady asked how much it would cost, Krampitz said, “It's yours! It was donated; it was meant for you to have.”

 

The wedding dress isn't the only clothing item at the Lady Bug that has fulfilled a need. Sometimes the New Richland Food Shelf sends people to the Lady Bug who are new in town. “And then we'll help them out if they need clothes or certain things, and then we'll help them shop,” said Krampitz.

 

Another aspect of the Lady Bug's ministry occurs during the changeover from one season to the next. Each season, workers at the Lady Bug box up what doesn't sell. They donate all of the unsold merchandise to First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove. The Baptist church then holds rummage sales to raise money in support of a children's home in North Central Honduras, something they have been doing since 2011. “They have literally raised thousands and thousands of dollars,” said Wagner.

 

“And they depend on the Lady Bug,” Strenge chimed in; although individuals also donate to the Baptist church, the Lady Bug is the church's main merchandise contributor.

 

One such changeover is coming up quickly; August 1 will be the Lady Bug's last day open this season. The Lady Bug is currently offering 50% off on all clothing and shoes, and 25% off of everything else. During Farm & City Days, all clothing and shoe items will be $2 each, and all other merchandise in the store will be 50% off. During the last week of July, the Lady Bug's box and bag sale will begin, at which customers can fill a box or bag with any merchandise for $10.

 

For the final day of the season on August 1, Krampitz plans to have the youth group from Christian Assembly Church in Waseca help at the shop. All proceeds earned the final day will be donated to the youth group's wider organization. Also anyone who desires can donate extra to the youth organization.

 

“It's not about money; it's about helping people,” Krampitz summarizes.

 

Speaking of helping, Krampitz laughingly relates, “We're really good about helping [customers] fill up their bags and boxes. The more we get out, the less we have to bag up and give to the church. But they [the church] still end up with a lot.”

 

Meanwhile, the ladies hint that for Farm & City Days, they'll be helping people have a good time; they have fun things brewing for the yearly festivities, but aren't disclosing anything other than that they'll have a 1939 Chevy in the parade: “It's black and red, just like a lady bug,” said Krampitz.