KINGSTON — The statement “second chance” has many meanings for owner Lynnette Straight — for herself, some of her employees and others she has worked with in the past.

Straight worked in the social service industry for several decades, dealing with drug and alcohol rehabilitation at Kitsap Recovery Center. She’s seen a lot, including those who have tried to turn their lives around. Bearing witness to such acts not only inspired her, it also provided the ideal name of her new clothing store in the Kingston Thriftway Shopping Complex.

“‘Second Chance’ came from the fact of years of working in the fields, I have seen some outstanding results of making it through treatment,” Straight said.

Going through a recent second chance in her life as well, she’s put the metaphor to use by recycling gently used items at Second Chance Quality Clothing and Goods.

Her specialty is clothing for kids ages preemie through “the prom years” but also carries seasonal men and women’s clothing, including career casual and suits for those entering the workforce. Most of Straight’s items are sold on consignment, splitting the profits 50/50 with the seller.

She doesn’t take large appliances and furniture, but accepts clothing, baby clothing, accessories, toys and household items. In a few months, Straight hopes to bring in shoes for infants and children, as well as summer wear. She’s also starting to collect costume jewelry and dress-up clothes that parents can purchase for their children.

She’s familiar with the way thrift stores work, too, as she was the oldest of six kids growing up and remembers how her mother would shop in thrift stores and purchase quality and seasonal items.

“If it’s something good enough for another child to wear, it should be good enough for your child to wear,” Straight said.

She opened Jan. 2 and the support from the community has been outstanding, she said.

In the five months she’s been open, new mothers have been coming in all the time and purchasing baby clothing, then bringing them back and running consignment on them.

“I have quite a few people who come in regularly,” she said.

The types of items people are looking for include certain jean sizes, jackets, sunglasses, work boots, hoodies and clothing for boys sizes 4-12. Teens go for the music and she can hardly keep up with jeans. Designer tops are popular, as are baby toys and furniture, such as play pens and high chairs.

Employees consist of herself and family members, but she has a few women who have been brought aboard to work for store credit.

“I love anyone that works with me at the store,” she said.

Part of Straight’s agenda is to get involved with the social services scene in Kitsap again by helping groups such as North Kitsap Fishline and other local food banks, as well as supporting easier means of public transportation for those trying to attend appointments.

Straight hopes that she’ll be able to work with an advisory group in the area that deals with social services, transportation and other ways and means that will help those who need it.