A pedestrian passes the double doors Thursday that will be the future entrance to the new Andwell Hospice Thrift Store at 180 Main St. in downtown Waterville. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

WATERVILLE — A thrift store from which proceeds will benefit uninsured and underinsured hospice patients is scheduled to open next month downtown.

The Andwell Hospice Thrift Store, 180 Main St., will feature all sorts of household items including dishes, glassware, small- to medium-sized furniture, wall art, clothing, jewelry, books and compact discs, according to Erin Rice, community engagement officer in develop and community relations at Andwell Health Partners.

Andwell acquired the former Care & Comfort home and mental health agency building three years ago and the nonprofit’s behavioral services are located on the first floor. Andwell’s main office is in Lewiston.

The organization, formerly known as Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice, also has thrift stores at 165 Capitol St. in Augusta and 245 Center St. in Auburn. Founded in 1966, it is the largest nonprofit, independent home healthcare and management organization in Maine.

Entrance to the 2,900-square-foot thrift shop will be off Appleton Street, facing the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons, which houses Colby College students and staff.

Rice, who spoke Tuesday at a City Council meeting where councilors approved a license for the thrift store, said Thursday in an email that a soft store opening will be held in mid-February and, as long as enough volunteers are available, it will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Jenny Cowie, retail operations manager for the Andwell stores who oversees operations and volunteers, said Thursday that workers are renovating the space and taking down some walls to make way for a large floor display area. They also are setting aside rooms for receiving donations and processing them. All home goods are cleaned and volunteers, who take pride in their work, ensure they are in good shape and are not damaged, she said.

“We really take care to keep those standards high,” Cowie said.

Rhonda Small is coordinator for the thrift stores, she said. Donations of items will be accepted at the store during business hours and may be dropped off and placed in a room to the right of the entrance.

Andwell’s stores in Augusta and Auburn are staffed by volunteers. More than 70 volunteers donate their time and Andwell is recruiting volunteers for its Waterville store and welcomes them, Cowie said. Those interested are asked to email thrift.store@andwell.org.

Andwell’s hospice services are for people who have stopped medical treatment and/or interventions and have six or fewer months to live.

“Our goal is to make the time they have left as comfortable as it can be, so they can be as independent as they possibly can, for as long as they can, experiencing the things they enjoy,” Rice said.

Andwell offers in-home visits by nursing staff who, in conjunction with a primary care doctor, help manage pain, supply and order all prescriptions, and do regular visits to monitor vitals, according to Rice. Therapists and case managers help ease the emotional discomfort that may accompany a terminal prognosis, and home aides provide personal care so caregivers can focus on their loved one. Andwell also has a hospice site, a welcoming, home-like environment where families can gather while the hospice patient receives more intensive symptom and pain management than can be provided at home. All the services are available to people regardless of their ability to pay.