Swampscott Blue Bargains Searches For New Home Amid Transition Period

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — After a dozen years and more than $100,000 in donations to Swampscott school programs, senior center initiatives and the town's library services, Big Blue Bargains is looking for a new home at the same time it is undergoing a transition from the direction of its founders to a new generation of leaders.

The thrift store, which reopened on Humphrey Street six months ago after previously making the Swampscott Middle School its home since 2012, is looking to relocate after the building at 491 Humphrey Street was recently sold.

The search comes as new board members have recently joined to help continue the mission of its founders.

"It has been a great resource for the community to recycle and reuse while offering volunteer opportunities for our residents," said Kristen Dishman, who helped found Big Blue Bargains in 2009 ahead of its opening in 2012. "The Swampscott High School life skills program comes in every Tuesday and they have been very helpful."

Big Blue Bargains recently allocated $4,000 in donations to be divided between the Friends of Swampscot Senior Center in honor of Syd Novak, a veteran and avid bridge player who made unique items for the store, the Friends of Swampscott Library, the high school unified sports program and the Discovery point program, as well as to the Swampscott Middle School and elementary schools.

A donation was also made to the Peter Ciprianos coat mission and the Lions Club eyeglasses drive.

"I thought we did pretty good for being open for six months for being able to give more than 4,000 back," Dishman told Patch on Tuesday.

Big Blue Bargains is holding a 50 percent off sale during April before it needs to vacate the Humphrey Street location by the end of the month. Dishman said the store will have a booth at the weekly farmers market, with new board members open to pop-up locations, but that a more permanent space is ideal with those in town who might have space available asked to consider the charitable shop.

"It was a lot of fun," Dishman said of her 14 years with the organization. "We gave a lot. The kids who volunteered learned to appreciate recycling and reusing. I'm one of seven kids and we always got stuff from yard sales so I've always been a thrifter."

Those looking to donate to Big Blue Bargains, become involved as a supporter or volunteer, or who might have a space for a future home for the store can reach out to bigbluebargains@gmail.com.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)