Everything Old Is New Again at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

Christmas brings challenges to everyone contemplating giving the perfect gift. The St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store on Western is being discovered by more and more people as a shopping destination.

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“We are busy. We are seeing an increase in customers and new customers are discovering us every day,” said Margaret Jones, warehouse and thrift store director.

“There is a need for items offered at a discount price,” she added. “People are walking in saying that they didn’t know we were here.”

Jones said that the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store “offers people surprises, name brands at cheaper prices.”

The St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday.

While the shelves are stocked, there is always a need for what Jones called “bric-a-brac,” or miscellaneous items.

The thrift store is always looking for pots, pans, small appliances such as microwaves, electric fry pans, dishes, cups, glasses, and silverware.

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In addition to these items, the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store, 9321 S. Western, offers clothing, shoes and accessories for women, men and children; bake ware, tools, and  kitchen gadgets; linens, decorative accents, artwork, mirrors, rugs, silk flowers and baskets; and bedroom sets, living room, dining room and patio furniture.

“If items are used, they must be gently used and not needing major repairing or cleaning because we don’t have anyone to do that,” said Jones.

The thrift store also offers brand new items, with the tags still on them. The items are donated by individuals and businesses.

A number of churches in the area host a Bundle Event, usually over a weekend. Donors come to the location with their items, which are loaded in a trailer provided by the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store. The schedule for 2013 Bundle Events will be available in January.

Donors can also drop items at the store from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sat. Furniture can be picked up by 773-779-6700 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“People in the area are very generous. We get walk-in donations all day long,” said Jones.

The St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store lives up to its founder’s creed of helping the poor, whether handing out vouchers to victims of a Mt. Greenwood apartment fire, or directing them to St. Vincent DePaul conferences where they can receive vouchers to shop free in the thrift store, or get help with utilities, rental payments or food. It’s also an opportunity for them to learn about St. Vincent DePaul.

For more information visit the Society of St. Vincent De Paul.