Everything is a bargain at new parish thrift store

Photos by James A. McBride

Volunteers Richard Griggel, Jr., Joanne Griggel and Jillian Bottino help out at new Our Lady of Guadalupe Thrift Store and Donation Center in Somerdale, open Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

SOMERDALE — Just in time for Christmas shopping, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Thrift Store and Donation Center opened its doors on Dec. 3 with an array of clothing, accessories and household items.

Located on the first floor of the former Our Lady of Grace School on the White Hose Pike, Joe Bottino, one of the volunteers who mans the store, said, “We didn’t want to have a grand opening with only a few items so we actually bought some things to stock our shelves.”

He pointed out items were purchased from retailers who were going out of business. “The merchandise is still in their packages,” he noted. “That’s the key. We want our thrift shop to look like a top-notch store.”

Donated items are coming in almost every day, Joe explained. And that includes clothing for men, women, and children. “We want everybody who shops here to have a smile on their faces when they see the prices,” he said. “Every piece of clothing, for instance, is $2, and that includes suits.”

The shop also features handbags, belts, and jewelry along with dishes, small appliances, and other household items.

The idea for a thrift shop came when Joe had spoken with Father Joseph Cappella, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, about doing something with the old Our Lady of Grace School building.

Joe said, “When we came up with a thrift shop concept, Father said to go with it.”

He pointed out that many parishioners, including his family, are donating many hours to make the thrift shop a success.

“And we’re making the store look like a regular retail outlet,” said Joe. “Appearance is very important. The store is neat and inviting.”

The thrift shop is advertised with signs on the White Horse Pike, in the Our Lady of Guadalupe church bulletin, and in the bulletins of other churches. “We’re even on Facebook,” Joe said. “But our biggest advertising medium is by word-of-mouth. It’s amazing what people can do.”

The shop is open Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The number of volunteers who will be in the store can be as many as 10 on the weekend.

For more information call 856-784-0372.