Selma Roots Officially Open – The Selma Times‑Journal

On Friday morning, Selma Roots held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and announced the grand opening.

Although the store opened last month, officials credit the ribbon-cutting event sponsored by the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce as the beginning of a welcome for local residents. Proceeds from Selma Roots, run by Betty Oldroyd, go to Gospel Tabernacle Church and the Winston Williams Homeless Shelter.

“Selma Roots is an icon of the city of Selma,” said Gospel Tabernacle Church Pastor John E. Grayson. “When people come to Selma, they drive past Selma Roots.”

Selma Roots is a thrift store located in the old Sears Home building.

“We didn’t want the old Sears building to remain empty,” said Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce.

Selma Area Food Bank Executive Director Jeff Cothran said Selma Roots has made the building its own and it doesn’t look like the Sears Home that once was inside it.

Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn called it a great moment for Selma and Dallas County.

“This is an exciting time for Selma and Dallas County,” Nunn said.

Former Dallas County District Court Judge Bob Armstrong said he and Oldroyd have been friends for years and compared her to Mother Teresa.

Oldroyd said she thanks Selma and Dallas County for years of supporting both thrift stores.

The ceremony was attended by Tanika Wagner-Neely, Dallas County Tax Collector, and Jasmine Robinson, assistant to Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr.