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Local salvage shop benefits Franklin community

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FRANKLIN, Ind. -- Everything old is new again in downtown Franklin. It is part of a massive revitalization project in the historic downtown district. A new store front is celebrating a ribbon cutting Friday that will benefit shoppers and Franklin residents.

“It doesn't matter if it's a door that's becoming a headboard, a window that's going to be a picture frame--there's a way to reuse everything,” Dave Windisch said.

Franklin Heritage is one of the oldest non-profits in the state. The organization turns one person’s trash into another person’s treasure to help restore Franklin. Franklin Heritage has restored more than 14 downtown buildings, and they’re ready to cut the ribbon on a new project.

PHOTOS | Madison Street Salvage run by non-profit

The group transformed a 100-year-old building into Madison Street Salvage, a new storefront for a project that operated for a few years out of a local pole barn.

"We have to thank the City of Franklin for allowing us to be there, ya know, for a dollar a year, now we are a real operating business,” Rob Shilts said.

The project was a community effort and included students from Franklin College.

"We used 50 students to move all of this stuff. We could not have done that. That's like a small army" Shilts said.

The volunteer-run operation is hoping for a small army of visitors Friday for their grand opening at 11 a.m.

Organizers said there is something for everyone.  There are over 150 doors, 200 wood windows, and a large selection of antiques.