Bon Marche is a Thrift Shop Treasure Trove

Bon Marche is not your typical thrift store. Even the name is not typical.

"It means good buys or cheap buys in French," explains  Sara LaRocca, 36, a Babylon Village resident and mother of three who became the new owner of the store two months ago.

Before LaRocca took ownership the store was owned and operated by Marian Epting, who died after a brief illness this past November at the age of 85. Epting and LaRocca were longtime friends.

"She opened the store in Lindenhurst in 1970," LaRocca recalls. "She moved to Babylon at another location around 1979 and had the store in this location (45 East Main Street) for more than 25 years."

LaRocca says she took ownership as her friend didn't want it to close.

"This was her life. It was a treasure to her-the space and the things in it. Now her treasures can still be shared," she says.

Treasures is the best word to describe what shoppers will find during a visit.

"We sell vintage clothing, but it is a high-end thrift store," LaRocca says. "There is a small selection of children's clothes and a small selection of men's clothes, but most of the clothes are for women. We have fancy cocktail dresses, suits, career wear and funky racks with funky outfits from the 1970s and 1980s."

Buyers will also find gowns, wedding dresses, hats, designer shoes and bags, and costume jewelry . There is a dressing room available and the item presentation is very similiar to a department store environment.

That ambiance is part Epting and part LaRocca.

"Marian's husband, Don, was a carpenter and he built all the shelves and wooden racks in here by hand," LaRocca explains. "I went to FIT to study art so  I know how to work with color, fabric and shape. I use my ideas and I put things together. The store is giving me a creative outlet of expression. It was for Marian as well."

LaRocca can easily recall  meeting Epting for the first time 20 years ago.

"I was a customer," LaRocca explains. "I grew up in West Islip and I wanted to come in when I saw how cluttered the front window was. It reminded me of a grandma's attic. I was in high school at the time so I think I probably bought a pair of colorful polyester pants that I wore instead of leggings."

The age difference between the women did not pose a problem for the women's friendship.

"Marian was 50 years older than me but I guess what drew us together I think was her loving energy and her open heart. She was just real. At different points in our relationship she was my sister, my grandmother, a true friend."

LaRocca is confident that anyone can find something in the store.

"An interesting group of people shop here," she says. "Whatever you are looking for is probably in here. I spent two months organizing everything so I know exactly what is in here, and I can show you exactly where to look for what you want."

Bon Marche is located next to the First Presbyterian Church. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays and evenings are available by appointment only. For more infomation call 631-321-5945.