Gratitude Shows in Thrift Shop Managers' Dedication

Bonnie Nalepa says she "can't do enough" for the organization that provides a supervised home for her developmentally disabled son. So she and her husband, Ron, do as much as they can.

The Nalepas have worked six days a week for two years without pay as managers of the Second Chance Thrift Shoppe, 44 Stephen St., in downtown Lemont. Proceeds from the store benefit Garden Center Services, based in Burbank, which has 13 group homes and offers job training and therapy to more than 150 disabled adults.

Bonnie, 67, who had been on the board of Garden Center Services, recently resigned that position because she's now accepting a small salary for managing the thrift store. Ron, 68, continues to work for free at the thrift store, along with 60 volunteers.

Many of the volunteers have become specialists in collectibles and enjoy doing research to price items.

• Margie Fillipo, a longtime special education teacher, is called the "book lady" who "also researches golf balls" because she likes to golf.
• Chris Bryla, a physical therapist who works with the disabled, does the "thankless job of hauling metal items to the recycler," Bonnie Nalepa says.  
• Ellie Moran comes in once a week to iron clothes too wrinkled to put on the sale floor.
• Barb Polenc prices decorative collectibles at 50 percent of the average eBay price.
• Marilyn Kulik, a longtime customer, once asked why the shoes weren't organized by size. She was invited to do that task herself, and it's now her job at the shop.
• Deb Brucki, who volunteers at the Art Institute and once worked at an art gallery, prices artwork.

The Nalepas and their colleagues have created an upscale environment for shopping. Display cabinets showcase pretty dishes and figurines. A small side room is decorated with theme merchandise: back-to-school recently was replaced by Halloween items. Another small side room offers magazines and books.

In the back, clothes are arranged by size—a luxury for thrift-store devotees.  

Bonnie Nalepa said Lemont "has been so responsive" to the store. "We are really happy  to be here," she said.

And donors have been generous. Excess or unsold pieces are picked up each week by Salvation Army. About 35 percent of donations are deemed not sellable "according to our standards," Ron said. Clothes without buttons or with stains are not sold, Bonnie added.

"We are pretty fussy," she said.

Garden Center Services offers homes, a sheltered workshop and other other assistance for people with  mental retardation, autism and cerebral palsy.

Bonnie and Ron's son Bill is the oldest of five children. As his siblings left home to go to college or to get married, Bill asked his parents why he couldn't leave home.  At age 30, he moved out, too. Now 50, Bill lives with two roommates.

"It's a much fuller life for him than at home; he's more independent. He and his roommates are out five days a week," Bonnie said.

Clients of Garden Center come to the thrift store on a shopping outing once a month to pick three items for free.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday. Once a month, all items are on sale for 50 percent off.

Donations are accepted at the side of the building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Those who are bringing in furniture should call ahead, since the store can accommodate only small pieces. The store's phone number is 630-243-1279.

Illinois is "grateful to have us," Bonnie Napela said. "Illinois is the 51^st state (counting Washington, D.C.)" in funding for services for the disabled, she said.