FARMINGTON – Broadway’s newest boutique, Touch of Class Too, has been a hit among shoppers since its recent opening.

The thrift shop, operated by Work First Inc., is an expansion of its Wilton Road store and provides employment for people with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities.

“A lot of people love the new store and think it’s nice to have another thrift store downtown. They are also impressed with the décor,” said Nichole Ernest of Farmington, who works with Work First employees.

Bright lights, a new wood floor and ceiling create a boutique setting for the donated clothing and accessories. The store doesn’t offer household items like the Wilton Road store because of space. The staff prefers that larger donations still be left at the main store.

“We’ve heard a lot of comments from people who work around the downtown area about how good it is to be able to walk to the store on their lunch time,” said Lynne Hall of Strong, manager of both stores. More college students have been visiting the Broadway store and first-time visitors at either store are sent to check out the other store, she said.

The new store means more opportunity to employ people from Work First, Hall said. It’s also an opportunity to help them get out into the community.

The store, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, is run solely on donations, Hall said. It is self-supporting and covers wages, rent and utilities.

“There are so many donations. You wouldn’t believe the amount of stuff that comes here,” she said. “Some has brand new tags with quality labels.”

Employees are careful about the quality of clothing that is hung in the showroom, she said, and some is passed on to a program in Rumford that runs a similar shop as well as recycling clothing into rags for the paper mill there.

Prices are kept low to help people who need a deal, she said.

Work First employees clean and work in the front of the store as well as in the back room to steam and press items and add price tags, Ernest said. The program provides work experience to help increase participants’ independence, gain an income and become more integrated into the community.

Jewelry, shoes, some books and videos join with the clothing for men, women and children. The main store accepts donations of household items except furniture, as well, Hall said.