On Your Side: Customers demand payments from closed Republic, Mo. thrift store

REPUBLIC, Mo. (KY3) -A thrift store in Republic closed, and several upset customers told On Your Side that money is owed.

Deja New Thrift Shop, formerly known as Leigh-Anne’s, is empty in the Republic Shopping Center on U.S. 60. Customers like Jessica Smith say they had a deal. Customers brought in clothes to sell and got some of the profits. When there was a closing sale, Smith popped in.

“(I) asked for a printout. (She) said she didn’t have any paper. She said ‘you can see it on the screen’, said Smith.

Smith says she asked if she could take a photo of the screen and was told no. She’s not the only one struggling.

“One time, they said they didn’t have any checks available. The owner wasn’t in to sign a check. There was always an excuse,” said Amber Lindsey.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a $1 or $1,100. What’s owed is owed. That’s all that’s being asked,” said Smith.

You’ll notice the sign doesn’t say Deja New. Laura Drew used to operate another store at the same location. On Your Side got the business license, which expires in just a few months. City of Republic officials tell On Your Side that Drew never revised her application or attempted to get a new one.

No LLC or state paperwork is under the name Deja New Thrift Shop.

On Your Side emailed Drew asking for an on-camera interview. She declined, saying, “I have been paying everyone back daily if you check the Facebook page Deja New.”

Jessica saw the post.

“Anyone who has bashed her on Facebook will be moved to the end of line. I figure since I’m the one who made the post, I’m dead last,” said Smith.

Drew told On Your Side she paid ten people yesterday and won’t stop until everyone is paid.

The customers say they don’t know anyone who got their payment.

Drew mentioned that an ex-employee stole one of the checkbooks. We asked the Republic Police Department about that. They confirmed there was a report and are looking into it. No arrests have been made.

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