Some unexpected things are coming from Faith Second Hand Consignment on Highway 31 in Alabaster.

The newly opened store has received a warm welcome from its shoppers since opening in July earlier this year, but owner Jill Leath is not stopping there.

A new sign draped above the entrance reveals that Faith Consignment is offering lay-a-way for its holiday shoppers.

“I started offering lay-a-way so people who cannot afford certain things can have the opportunity to get the things they want,” Leath said.

In fact, Leath has offered a lay-a-way option for her shoppers since the store opened. She has seen an increased interest in the payment plan with Christmas approaching.

“I’ve had at least 15 customers use the lay-a-way plan just in the past few weeks,” adds Leath.

The lay-a-way plan allows customers to hold their purchases by putting 20 percent down and paying on the item over a 30-day period.

Clearly a faith-driven business, Faith Consignment receives many of its customers from Kingwood Church, where Leath attends. Leath’s faith and passion for Kingwood’s mission trips has lead her to look into another option for shoppers at Faith Consignment that will begin early next year.

“Shoppers in January will have the option to donate 60 percent of the purchase price of items to any Shelby County church to benefit mission trips,” Leath said.

Leath, who has been saving to participate in a mission of her own, knows the cost of the trip often keeps people from going and hopes Faith Consignment can make more trips possible.

With all the big name brands like Abercrombie, Gap, J. Jill, Kasper and Justice, Faith Second Hand Consignment certainly has a lot to offer.

Jessica Vance can be reached by e–mail at jvance86@hotmail.com.