The Handi Shop in Mexico turned 50 last week with a big celebration that included current and former employees and supporters.

The five original employees, known as the Fab Five, were all together for the celebration including May Trams, Gary Brewer, and Elly Chrismer, who are all still working at the Handi Shop. Donna Davis and Mary Jo Lierheimer both worked up until COVID-19 struck and had to stop.

“These guys are here every day,” Handi Shop Manager Martin Keller told the Ledger. “After 50 years you don’t have to worry about them coming to work.”

The Handi Shop board of directors is already planning for the next 50 years which will include a major expansion. Included in the plans is to tear down the current recycling center and replace it. The shop will also increase its store size by three times more than the current shop.

“We’ve had our feasibility study and our task force meeting,” Keller said. “We’re guessing we'll start on it in a couple of months.”

Part of doing an expansion will involve seeking donations and support. Keller said the Handi Shop has hired a firm to help them that has also worked with the local YMCA and Press Performing Arts Center in campaigns. Keller said things are pretty quiet now but expect that campaign to begin later this year into next spring. 

Keller said the Handi Shop also wants to restart a training program that went away about eight years ago that allows the Shop to train high school kids so they can be gainfully employed by the Handi Shop or someone else.

“I can’t hire anybody 25 and younger if they haven’t had certified vo-tech training,” Keller said. “It’s basically a pain for these kids coming out of school.

Keller said he’s begun talking with the folks at the Mexico Vo-tech program and some board members about a program. Keller said it would be huge if they could get the program running again.

“There’s going to be a lot of hoops to jump through before we can be accredited,” Keller said. “There’s a lot of work involved but there’s a plan.”