Community Corner
Longtime Owners Of The Crowded Closet Retire, Leave Shop To YWCA
All proceeds from the Dempster Street consignment shop are set to go to support domestic violence and economic advancement programs.
EVANSTON, IL — Local consignment boutique The Crowded Closet is under new management and moving down the block next month. After more than 40 years in charge of the Dempster Street shop, owners Cindy Caldwell and Mickie Donohue are retiring and handing over ownership of the shop to YWCA Evanston/North Shore, the nonprofit announced.
“Rather than shutter the boutique, we are thrilled it will continue under the ownership of YWCA Evanston/North Shore,” Donohue and Caldwell said in a release. “We fully support this transition and have complete confidence the shop will be in good hands.”
Karen Singer, president and CEO of YWCA Evanston/North Shore, said The Crowded Closet is a valuable asset to the community, providing affordable, quality women's clothing. All proceeds from the shop will go to support the group's domestic violence and economic advancement programs to help women and children in northeast Cook County.
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“We’re grateful for the generosity of Mickie Donohue and Cindy Caldwell and we deeply thank them for passing the baton to us for the next chapter of the Crowded Closet,” Singer said.
The Crowded Closet is set to remain open at 808 Dempster St. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thusdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 29.
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It is due to be closed from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7 before reopening at 820 Dempster St. on Sept. 8, according to the local YWCA.
In July 2018, the nonprofit announced the acquisition of the resale shop formerly known as Encore & More at 1107 Central Ave. in Wilmette. Singer said the two enterprises would strengthen one another's operations.
RELATED: YWCA Acquires Encore & More In Wilmette
“We are honored to have the opportunity to steward Crowded Closet’s legacy into the future,” said Singer. “We’re looking forward to the synergy between the Crowded Closet, a consignment boutique, and the YWCA Shop for Good, a resale shop. We are excited by the possibilities these enterprises offer to support our mission.”
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