For Pets' Sake in Breckenridge has a new and more visible location — the space opening to the sidewalk in the building the business has always inhabited at 203 North Main Street. There will be a ribbon cutting and raffle drawing to celebrate Thursday.

The thrift store has been in existence for five years and sells “gently used” adult clothing, linens, housewares, books and furniture. It is entirely volunteer-based — they run the store and sift through donations — and after expenses, proceeds go to Animal Rescue of the Rockies, a nonprofit that provides foster homes and permanent homes to homeless pets in need.

The old location, in the back of the building down a dark and narrow flight of stairs, was actually a deterrent to business, store manager Jenny Odegard said. Some customers would see the stairs and turn around. Since the move upstairs a few weeks ago, she said more traffic is coming in off the sidewalk and sales have gone up.

And, the new move to street level has allowed the store to start selling donated furniture, most of which wouldn't fit down the stairs before.

The business has plenty of local support and has actually done well through the recession, Odegard said. Second-hand clothing has been a lifesaver for many during hard times.

There will be a celebration sale and raffle during the day Thursday. The ribbon cutting with the Breckenridge Resort Chamber runs from 5-6:30 p.m. Sheri Shelton of Hand and Glove in Breckenridge will be on hand to donate $275 raised by her dalmation Maverick, who greets customers in her store. There will be snacks and champagne.

Raffle tickets are available up until the grand opening, and are given out for every $10 donation or $10 spent in the store. Participants do not have to be present to win. Prizes include gift certificates for in-store credit, artwork, a scrapbooking kit and overnight stays at luxury vacation rentals.

For more information, call the store at (970) 453-4339.