Joseph’s Coat, a St. Paul organization providing clothes to those in need, held an open house for volunteers Thursday following repairs of the damage caused when a hit-and-run driver crashed into the store in early June.

The crash caused extensive damage to the store at West Seventh and Bay streets. Shattered glass, demolished display cases and a mostly unusable inventory forced the store to close.

The exterior of Joseph's Coat after a car drove over 30 feet into the store early Thursday, June 7, 2018. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

The repaired and renovated Joseph's Coat is ready for business. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)



But looking around the storefront now, the damage is hard to picture.

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Executive Director Cheryl Stern said department stores Marshall’s, TJ Maxx and HomeGoods played an integral role in the store’s revival, opening up their distribution warehouse for storage donations.

Joseph’s Coat now has tables, clothing racks and slatted wall fixtures because of them.

“The outpouring of people wanting to help, wanting to donate has been incredible,” Stern said. “This community is so generous.”

Since the store leases their space, insurance was only able to cover repairing the building and carpet — the interior was the nonprofit’s responsibility.

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To fund the renovations, three donors, two of whom are volunteers at the store, pledged $5,000 apiece toward a matching gift of up to $15,000. For every dollar the community donated, those donors would match that figure.

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With new shops and street improvements, Saturday’s ‘Rice and LarpenTOUR’ showcases three cities The store reopens for shopping at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20. Donations will be accepted 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21.

Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman, said the investigation into the hit-and-run remains underway and he encouraged anyone with information to call police at 651-266-5727.