One of Bellingham’s longest-running thrift stores plans to reopen next week after water damage from fire crews responding to a nearby apartment fire in December forced its temporary closure.

Wise Buys, located at 1224 N. State St.. will be back in business on Wednesday, Jan. 23, according to the nonprofit Lydia Place, which staffs the store with volunteer workers. The store will also resume accepting donations that day.

“Much of our merchandise was either damaged or related to the holidays, so we could use donations of gently used clothing and household items to re-stock the shop,” said Emily O’Connor, Lydia Place’s executive director, in a press release.

Since Wise Buys is completely run by volunteers, all of its proceeds go to Lydia Place. The store was originally launched in 1974 as Y’s Buys and run by the Bellingham YWCA until Lydia Place assumed operations in the early 1990s.

Lydia Place provides a six-month, multifaceted residential program that supports women and children in their transitions from homelessness to independence.

The nonprofit also offers support and services for local residents in subsidized housing.

For more information about Lydia Place, call 360-671-7663 or visit www.lydiaplace.org.