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Selma Roots held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce a grand opening on Friday morning.

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

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

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

“We did not want the old Sears building to stay empty,” Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce executive director Sheryl Smedley said.

Selma Area Food Bank executive director Jeff Cothran said Selma Roots has made the building its own and doesn’t resemble Sears Home occupying 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, comparing her to Mother Theresa.

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

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