Wise Buys, a downtown Bellingham thrift store operated by volunteers from Lydia Place, remains closed after sustaining water damage on Saturday, Dec. 15, as emergency crews responded to a fire in a nearby apartment.

The store might re-open within the first or second week of January, according to a recent post on the nonprofit organization’s Facebook page.

Wise Buys, located at 1224 N. State St., originally opened in 1974 as Y’s Buys (run by the Bellingham YWCA) until Lydia Place assumed operations in the early 1990s.

Lydia Place’s directors are asking the public to withhold donations of clothing and household items until the store reopens.

“The repairs will be covered by insurance,” said Emily O’Connor, executive director of Lydia Place, in a press release. “However, much of our merchandise was either damaged or related to the holidays, so we could use donations of gently used clothing and household items when Wise Buys reopens in January.”

Updates are available on Lydia Place’s Facebook page or by calling Lydia Place at 360-671-7663.

Proceeds from Wise Buys support the nonprofit organization’s programs.

Lydia Place provides a six-month, multifaceted residential program that supports women and children in their transition from homelessness to independence. Lydia Place also offers support and services for local residents in subsidized housing.

More information is online at www.lydiaplace.org.