From Deseret News archives:
LDS plans one-stop 'Welfare Complex'
Now under construction at 900 W. Hill Field Road, the 65,000-square-foot facility on 6.3 acres of land will put seven different aspects of the LDS Church's welfare program — Deseret Industries, Distribution Services, Family Services, LDS Employment, Bishop's Storehouse, Family Home Storage Center and a Humanitarian Service Room — all under one roof.
According to Scott Anderson, manager of construction for Deseret Industries, this type of new complex — a single-story block building — should become the prototype for the church welfare system in the future.
"Bishops can refer someone to just one place," Anderson said. "It will all be at one location."
The complex site is just northeast of Sam's Club, on the north side of Hill Field Road. Its parking lot will have room for more than 200 cars and will tie into a nearby existing traffic signal. It will resemble the Tooele Deseret Industries building but will be much larger.
The current Deseret Industries outlet in Layton at 1010 W. Hill Field Road, just a half-block west of the new building site, opened in May 1998 in a leased building. It has about 30,000 square feet of total space.
The new Deseret Industries will have 23,000 square feet of retail space alone.
"It will have an improved drop-off area and docks," Anderson said, similar to what the new Murray store has. "The Layton Deseret Industries has consistently done better each year."
The Layton Deseret Industries will employ 100-120 people.
"We're most involved in training people," Anderson said. Deseret Industries trains employees with essential job skills. Later, they leave and work in the public sector. He said that's a great behind-the-scenes benefit to the nonprofit thrift store.
The current LDS Distribution Services, 719 N. Main, opened about five years ago, also in a leased facility. That store, in a strip mall, has proven to be very cramped quarters. Distribution Services offers church publications and books, church supplies and temple clothing to church members. Anderson said the new facility will offer more space.
There is currently a Bishop's Storehouse in Kaysville. Anderson said this one will supplement it, not replace it. He said smaller Bishop's Storehouses like this one will be the plan for the future.
The Family Home Storage Center won't replace the larger Dry Pack Cannery in west Kaysville but will be an extension of it. People will be able to come in and use this smaller dry pack facility and also buy food to pack there.
