Catherine's Closet Finds a New Home

Catherine's Closet has become an institution in Newark over the past decade after having given over 10,000 prom gowns and dresses to girls and women in need as well as $30,000 in scholarships. But for an agonizing two weeks that tradition of giving was in jeopardy.

Catherine's Closet was asked to leave their rent-free space in the office building at 570 Broad St. this past Memorial Day weekend. That building is owned by the Berger Organization, a real estate company.

Sandy Kessler, founder of Catherine's Closet, relates her conversation with Brendan Berger, vice president of leasing at Berger Organization.

"He says, 'You have two weeks to get out,'" said Kessler about the call she got on the Friday afternoon before the holiday weekend.

"I said, ‘What if I pay you and stay for a month?' He thought about it, because I offered him money. At first, he said, 'Yes,' and then he said, 'On second thought, no, we just want you out.' No reason, no ‘the space is rented.' Nothing like that."

She continued, "He wouldn't give me any information."

This all came as a shock to Kessler who had worked with the Bergers in the past.

"Bruce Berger (the group's president) was on my board, the 'Catherine's Closet' board, when we first started," said Kessler.

That was nearly ten years ago, when Kessler met Renee and Paul Johnson, who had a daughter named Catherine, an East Orange high school student. Kessler, whose full-time business is providing retirement plans for education workers, got to know the Johnsons as her clients.

However, tragedy fell when the Johnsons' high school valedictorian daughter was out driving. A 14-year-old boy piloting a stolen SUV collided with Catherine and her twin sister Courtney. Catherine did not survive.

Kessler attended the wake and was further heartbroken when she discovered what Catherine was buried in—her prom dress.

Kessler decided then that she must do something. She chose to honor Catherine's memory by creating an organization that would distribute donated prom gowns for a nominal fee to teens that couldn't afford them. Catherine's Closet was the result.

In the first two years, Kessler mainly needed a place to distribute the gowns. Bruce Berger provided that space at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark.

Following those early years, the charity grew and Kessler needed more space to store the donated dresses and accessories. She moved into 570 Broad Street. She ran the charity from that location for 8 years. That was until the Berger Organization bought the building and asked her to vacate.

Representatives from Berger could not be reached for comment on this story.

After scrambling to find a new location, Kessler got in touch with the Heritage Capital Group, the organization that previously owned 570 Broad Street for most of her time in that building. They provided her a new space at 550 Broad Street. She thanked two real estate agents, David Opper and Merle Martin, for their help.

"It's beautiful. It's just spectacular. It's more than enough space. Everything just couldn't be better. It's just what I wanted," said Kessler who plans to move in on June 18.

Gown donations for Catherine's Closet can be sent to 52 Berkshire Avenue in Paterson. Please visitwww.catherinescloset.org if you'd like to volunteer or donate to the cause.