2026-02-01T11:16:09-05:00

Explore Affordable Thrift Shopping in Westchester County – Part 2

February 1, 2026February 1, 2026/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

As promised, here is part 2 of our guide to affordable thrift shopping in Westchester County. In this second installment, we continue exploring the best thrift stores in the area. Whether you’re searching for specific items or just browsing, Westchester is a top spot for sustainable, budget-friendly fashion. Grab your reusable bags—it’s time to discover what’s next on our thrifting journey.

St. Luke’s Thrift Shop

— 327 NY-100, Somers, NY 10589

https://slcsomers.org/saint-luke%E2%80%99s-thrift-shop

I’ve always found myself buying something whenever I visit St. Luke’s Thrift Shop. I enjoy exploring the racks, and their sales are always exciting. The staff is very welcoming, and there’s a wide selection to choose from. I highly recommend stopping by St. Luke’s Thrift Shop. While you’re there, don’t miss visiting Yorktown Love in Action, which is conveniently located nearby in Yorktown.

Women’s Club of White Plains

— 305 Ridgeway, White Plains, NY 10605

https://www.womansclubofwhiteplains.org/thrift

Visit the website to register for their Pop-Up Sales; they consistently deliver a great experience and attract a good crowd. They are also open on Tuesdays but check the website for details. All income from sales at the Thrift Store goes directly to the Woman’s Club of White Plains Foundation’s philanthropies, including its Scholarship Program.

That Nothing Be Lost – St Christopher’s at Graymoor

— 16 Franciscan Way, Garrison, NY 10524

Browsing here feels almost magical. Situated in one of Graymoor’s oldest buildings, built in 1916, in Garrison, New York, it faces St. Christopher’s Inn, a temporary homeless shelter dedicated to helping men in crisis. The store’s proceeds go toward supporting St. Christopher’s Inn and its residents.

Hilltop Thrift Shop

— 55 Cedar St., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Hilltop Thrift Shop was named Best Under-the-Radar Thrift Shop by Westchester Magazine. Need I say more?

You do have to sign up for an appointment to shop. Here is the link:

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/27003375573136035/false#/invitation

St Gregory’s Thrift & Gift Shoppe

— 1131 North St., White Plains, NY

I truly enjoy visiting the thrift shop at St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church, operated by The Women’s Guild. They offer beautiful china and serving pieces, as well as many other delightful items. All are high-quality and reasonably priced.

Rye Presbyterian Thrift Shop

— 882 Boston Post Rd., Rye, Ny 10580

https://ryepc.com/ministries/thrift-shop/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPqEEVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRbk1xR2VaTnBZRjJneWtRc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnWbFivgRTQVgKCRgODZUQ9DREnbSP_S2_tfaicijOZdtSrSAt8BjSwbS9tr_aem_cQXaGTJT50mAcjpzId8SPg

No clothes, but rooms filled with excellent merchandise – artwork, china, jewelry, housewares, home décor, small furniture, linens, seasonal decorations, and much more. They hold occasional evening sales, so be sure to sign up for their newsletter.

All Saints’ Second Chance Thrift Shop

— 288 Harrison Ave., Harrison, NY 10528

https://www.allsaintsharrison.org/thrift-shop

Operated by parish and community volunteers, this great shop provides gently used items at affordable prices, including kitchenware, home décor, knick-knacks, women’s and children’s clothing, books, CDs, toys, and much more. Additionally, they host the Angel Fair Holiday Market, which I always attend!

Thrifty Me Thrift Shop – Phone: (914) 962-5758.

— 1974 Commerce Street, Room 113, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Thrifty Me is a well-established thrift store run by volunteers, situated in Room 107 of the Albert A. Capellini Community & Cultural Center in Yorktown, NY. It opens on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 am to noon, serving the local community and often hosting special events such as annual holiday boutiques that raise funds for the local food pantry.

Golden Shoestring

— 149 Larchmont Ave, Larchmont, NY 10538

https://westchesteronthesound.jl.org/gss/

Operating in Larchmont, NY, for over 60 years, this nonprofit resale boutique is the primary fundraiser for the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound. The funds collected fund community grants and scholarships. The shop is well-known for its gently used designer clothing, a broad range of shoes, and housewares.

Katonah Thrift Shop

— 71 Bedford Rd., Katonah, NY 10536

https://www.facebook.com/katonahthriftshop/

Katonah Thrift Shop is filled with a variety of treasures. All proceeds benefit the Women’s Civic Club, which was founded in 1918 in historic Katonah. The store features a wide range of items, such as clothing, bags, musical instruments, jewelry, kitchenware, housewares, antiques, and more.

St. Thomas Church Thrift Shop

— 168 West Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck, NY 10543

https://www.saintthomasmmrk.org/thrift_shop

What began in the early 1990s as an “ongoing rummage sale” organized by dedicated parishioners has grown into a major event that showcases generosity and community spirit in Mamaroneck. St. Thomas offers a wide variety of items for sale, including women’s clothing, china and glassware, small appliances, cutlery, men’s suits, linens, jewelry, and more.

IFCA Thrift Shop

— 95 Croton Ave., Ossining, NY 10562

https://www.ifcany.org/thrift-shop#:~:text=The%20Thrift%20Shop%20has%20moved,sells%20new%20and%20gently%20used

IFCA’s neighborhood thrift shop sells new and gently used items, including clothing, shoes, bedding, dishes, pots and pans, costume jewelry, and handbags, at very affordable prices.

The Community Shop

196 Katonah Ave., Katonah, NY

https://www.communitycenternw.org/community-shop

The Community Shop offers a curated selection of gently-used clothing, shoes, and accessories at affordable prices. This collection supports the vital programs of the Community Center of Northern Westchester.

Please check the website or contact each thrift shop directly to check their days and hours of operation.

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

Explore Affordable Thrift Shopping in Westchester County – Part 1

January 28, 2026January 28, 2026/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

Thrifting in Westchester is renowned for its high-quality donated items. Many residents live in affluent neighborhoods, so local thrift stores often stock premium brands, vintage furniture, and luxury accessories at prices generally lower than those in Manhattan. Each store has a unique atmosphere, adding variety to the secondhand shopping experience.

In Westchester’s thrift scene, timing is crucial for success. Because most shops get their largest donations on weekends, the best times to find new inventory are early Monday and Tuesday mornings, before items are heavily picked over.

Practicality significantly influences the Westchester scene. Most prominent shops are run by local religious or nonprofit groups, and usually close earlier than typical thrift stores. Many are staffed by volunteers. Savvy shoppers keep an eye on community calendars, since many of these stores host seasonal “bag sales,” where customers pay a fixed fee to fill a bag.

Here’s a list of some of my favorite thrift stores in Westchester County I’ve visited over the past year. I genuinely appreciate the friendly staff, excellent deals, and how many staff members recognize my enthusiasm for thrifting and sharing it. I enjoy emphasizing how these shops support and uplift their local communities. If your favorite thrift store isn’t included here, feel free to email me at tonionthrifting@gmail.com, and I’ll try to visit soon.

Here are a few thrift shops I visited during the past year:

St Bart’s Thrift Shop

— 82 Prospect St, White Plains, NY

Follow on Facebook for news: https://www.facebook.com/stbartsthrift/

Located in White Plains, NY, this shop offers affordable pre-owned clothing and household items. It features a large, ever-changing selection of women’s clothing, operated from a space behind St. Bart’s Church. The constantly rotating inventory encourages frequent visits to discover unique finds. All proceeds are reinvested in the community. This thrift shop is also one of my personal favorites and one I visit very often.

The L.I.S.A Boutique

— 137 7thh Ave, Verplanck, NY 10591

https://letitshineonline.com/home-%2F-pantry-%2F-thrift

Located in Verplanck and well worth a visit. It is not a large boutique, but it is packed with excellent women’s clothes, gorgeous jewelry and accessories, and beautiful household goods. and it is also part of Cortlandt’s Thrift Store Trail which includes St. Patrick’s, Carriage House Thrift Shop, Little Orphan Animals, and the Mustard Seed, all worth the trip

The Back Door Thrift Shop

— 20 Greenridge Ave, White Plains, NY 10605

https://www.hiwp.org/thrift_shop

This charming, welcoming shop in White Plains, NY, lives up to its name with its entrance at the back of a parking lot behind the Hebrew Institute Synagogue. It features high-quality pre-owned items, such as vintage dresses, coats, and home decor, with all proceeds benefiting synagogue programs and activities.

Fantastic Finds

—400 King St, Chappaqua, NY

Located in Chappaqua’s Talbot’s Shopping Center, Fantastic Finds is an upscale resale boutique that operates as a non-profit. All proceeds from the shop directly benefit Support Connection, a non-profit organization that provides free, year-round support services for individuals affected by breast, ovarian, and gynecological cancers.

Hitchcock Church Thrift Shop

— 6 Greenacres Ave, Scarsdale, NY 10583

https://www.hitchcockpresby.org/thrift-shop

Located in Scarsdale, NY, this shop is run by Presbyterian Women and raises thousands of dollars each year for various women’s and children’s charities. It sells clothing, household items, and jewelry, and offers a chance for community volunteering and friendship.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

— 470 Nepperhan Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701

Tel: (332) 777-5060

This large nonprofit home improvement store and donation center is located in Yonkers, NY. It offers new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials, and home accessories at affordable prices. All proceeds support Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester County’s mission to build homes.

Red Door Thrift Store

— 100 Underhill St, Yonkers, NY 10710

http://www.stjohnstuckahoe.com/thrift-shop.html

Situated in Yonkers, NY, this thrift store sells gently used clothes, household items, books, collectibles, and more at affordable prices. All proceeds benefit the ministries of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tuckahoe.

Treasure Thrift Shop

— 50 Bedford Rd, Armonk, NY

Located in Armonk, NY, this volunteer-run, eco-friendly shop offers affordable new and gently used items, with proceeds supporting various local charities. It operates on limited hours, usually Wednesdays and Saturdays, making it a great place to find unique vintage treasures. This is an all-around great thrift shop and one I always enjoy shopping in.

https://www.treasuresthriftshop.org/

Twigs Thriftree

— 449 Lexington Ave, Mount Kisco, NY 10549

https://www.twigsofnwh.org/

This volunteer-operated store in Mount Kisco, NY, raises funds exclusively for Northern Westchester Hospital and has already collected millions of dollars. It features a wide variety of gently used clothing and costume jewelry.

Yorktown Love In Action

— 1736 Front St, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

https://www.yorktownloveinaction.com/

A nonprofit recognized as a 501(c)(3) based in Yorktown Heights, NY, runs a large 10,000-square-foot thrift shop warehouse. Its goal is to assist families facing hardship in Westchester and Putnam counties. The organization provides donated items like furniture, clothing, and toys, known for its affordable prices and neatly organized, wide-ranging selection. Another popular spot where you could easily spend hours.

I hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more. I am currently working on part 2 of “Explore Affordable Thrift Shopping in Westchester County.”

Check out my Facebook page for engaging articles and updates on local thrift shopping.

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

The Habitat NYC and Westchester Restore in Yonkers just celebrated its first anniversary, and they have much to celebrate.

October 30, 2024October 30, 2024/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

After visiting the Habitat NYC and Westchester Restore in Yonkers, New York, I can see why. The store is jam-packed with furniture, appliances, building materials, kitchen cabinets, paint, home décor, and more. These are overstock and second-hand high-quality items donated to the Restore, all at 50 to 80% off original retail pricing. They have an additional store in Queens. The merchandise is quite impressive, with so many options. Join their Facebook page to see new items posted for sale: Their page is Habitat NYC and Westchester Restore.

If you or someone you know is getting their first home, first apartment, going back to school, or tragically, a victim of floods or fire, this is the place to get furniture and other home supplies at a fraction of what you would pay at a retailer. I saw beautiful couches, loveseats, and chairs: paint, some hardware, appliances, and lots of home décor. The staff is accommodating and kind. On. A recent weekend, I was in the store where families bought furniture and other items, and everything was seamless. It was busy, but each person/group received the staff’s undivided attention.

I spoke to Harris (pictured), the manager, who is equally passionate about Habitat for Humanity New York City, Westchester, and the ReStore. You can tell by going through the store how much Harris and everyone who works there cares about what they do and the people they do it for.

More about the Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester. Habitat NYC and Westchester create, preserve, and advocate for healthy, affordable homes and the generational equity-building opportunities homeownership provides.

Here are some great ways that you can get involved and help Habitat for Humanity:

Donate:

Whether you’re renovating your home, cleaning out your garage, downsizing or decluttering, Habitat NYC and Westchester’s ReStore will pick up and remove your gently used furniture, building materials, appliances, cabinetry, countertops, and household items. Pick-up is available!

Shop:

For your next DIY project, shop at the Habitat ReStore! You’ll be able to purchase necessary items at a steep discount, and your purchase will help Habitat NYC and Westchester build more homes.

Volunteer:

Join the team as a ReStore volunteer! It’s a perfect fit for community members interested in retail sales, interior design, or do-it-yourself projects and people simply interested in making a difference in the community. Volunteer opportunities include helping as a retail associate, doing donation pick-ups, refinishing furniture, and much more.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I loved all the items on display and the store’s vibe and feel. I admire that the ReStore has diverted over 3,000 tons of waste from landfills. Do you need a better reason to shop the Restore than helping save the planet and help families in need? You can shop at either the Yonkers or Queens location. Both have outstanding merchandise.

Visit the website at http://www.habitatnycwc.org for more information and their hours of operation.

Westchester Restore NYC Restore

470 Nepperhan Ave 62-01 Northern Blvd

Yonkers, NY 10701 Queens, NY 11377

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day

August 17, 2024August 17, 2024/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day. We all know that I think it should be a national holiday. I love my thrift shopping – both shopping and writing about it. Why do people love thrift shopping? Why do I love thrift shopping? The thrill of the hunt is looking for that great find. The chance to create your style and make a fashion statement. The ability to save money by not shopping in expensive department stores. Secondhand and vintage clothes are better quality than today’s fast fashion. Even thrift stores have sales. Help your community by supporting local thrift shops that use their proceeds to help people in their communities. It gives you a chance to keep updating your wardrobe at reasonable prices. If you dislike a purchase, you can donate it right back.

Most importantly, by thrift shopping, you are saving the planet and keeping clothes out of landfills. These are just some of the reasons why we all love thrift shopping. I have been thrift shopping for over forty years, and it brings me great joy and is my passion. There is no better way to enjoy a few hours than by going to a thrift shop and just looking through all the racks hoping to find those unique pieces that I will buy and love for years to come.

Happy National Thrift Shop Day!!

Thank you for reading – if you like my blogs, please like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tonionthrifting/

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

The Church of St Barnabas in Irvington always reminds me why I am passionate about thrifting and why their sale is my all-time favorite.

April 9, 2024/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

I had the honor and privilege of attending the volunteers’ dinner, during which the grants from the proceeds of the 2023 sale were awarded. It was a lovely night, and I met the sales chairs and many volunteers who made this sale happen. It takes months for this sale to come together, and it is a well-oiled machine led by Linda Pierpont, Mary Mielke, and Cathy Hansen. The chairs are hands-on; running this sale takes many volunteers and even more volunteer hours. There are thousands of pieces of clothing to be inspected and price tagged (they tag on the seams so as not to hurt the integrity of the garments – impressive). Everyone at St. Barnabas strongly believes in reducing, reusing, and recycling, and it was demonstrated at the dinner by some of the volunteers who proudly displayed the number of thrifted garments they wore. I believe the winner was six pieces, which included accessories—well done.

Since the start of the sale 29 years ago, over one million dollars in grants have been given to charities. A parishioner must sponsor all grant requests, and the charity must be a 501C3 to be eligible for the grants. In her first year on the grants committee, Jeannie Edler told me how excited she was to be a part of this and see how much these grant awards have a direct community impact.

Two of the grant recipients were there to talk about how these grants helped their charities. Heather Thomas, an EMT on the Irvington Volunteer Ambulance Corps board, spoke about how their grant made it possible to purchase a Toughbook laptop, which is used on all calls for patient and other critical information, cutting reporting time significantly. Pamela Grunstein from the Bulldog Family Fund also spoke. Since 2015, the Bulldog Family Fund has supported children and families who qualify for free or reduced lunch, food, clothing, school supplies, field trip fees, summer camp fees, and summer school tuition.

Some other grant recipients included Friends of the Irvington Library, which provides music and storytelling for the neurodiverse population. Neighborhood House provides social and wellness programs for the senior population. The Sharing Shelf provides clothing packs for children in Westchester who are clothing insecure. This is just a tiny fraction of the charities the Church of St Barnabas has helped this year with their grants. The Summer and November Sales continue to help others even after the sale by donating unsold clothes to Career Closet, The Sharing Shelf, shelters, and thrift shops.

The 2024 Summer Clothing Sale is Thursday, June 27, 1-2 pm & 5-7 pm; Friday, June 28, 10-2 pm; and Saturday, June 29, 10-2 pm. You can help the Church of St. Barnabas by donating your summer and vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories for women and men.

Donation Information is as follows:

* Donate on June 8, from 12 to 2 pm, when volunteers will be on-site to give you a Donor’s Shopping Pass, which allows you to shop a day early from the general public.

* Donate when the office is staffed Monday-Friday from 10 am – 2:00 pm

* Call the office at 914-591-8194 to set up an alternate donation time

* Leave donations outside, weather permitting

Donations will not be accepted after Friday, June 14.

This is the one sale that you should not miss!

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!!

St. Patrick’s Thrift Shop in Verplanck, New York – a popular stop on the Verplanck thrift crawl

March 2, 2024March 2, 2024/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

St. Patrick’s Thrift Shop in Verplanck was always a pleasure, but now that they have doubled their size, it is an even better thrifting experience. The newly expanded space has beautifully displayed linens, décor, and household items. Their best seller is still their wide selection of men’s and women’s clothing. They also carry shoes, accessories, small furniture, and more. The shop is better than ever. They have a wide selection of merchandise, and I have always left the thrift shop with something special. That is why they have a steady stream of repeat customers who continually support them. It is very easy to support the thrift shop because it has a great selection and is continuously updated.

Margaret McKeon, the shop manager, opened the shop in October 1993. St. Patrick’s recently celebrated their 30^th anniversary. Margaret, a lifelong resident, has been a parishioner since she was baptized at St. Patrick’s church. St Patrick’s is an integral part of the Verplanck community, and their customers come from near and far to shop there and support them.

St. Patrick’s welcomes all gently used donations, especially clothing if they are clean and usable. St. Patrick’s is also giving away free prom shoes on April 19^th. While there, you can also shop for prom accessories. The event is from 4 pm until 7 pm.

Check out St. Patrick’s Facebook page to see a sampling of their new merchandise. I couldn’t see Margaret on my last visit, but I did see Marlene and Becky, two of the many amazing volunteers at St. Patrick’s.

St Patrick’s Thrift Shop

240 11 St.

Verplanck, New York

Open Wednesdays and Saturdays – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

stpatrickschurch@gmail.com

Website: http://www.chrispatparish.com/

When you are in the area, you can also visit:

L.I.S.A. “Let It Shine Again” Thrift Boutique
137 7th Street,
Verplanck, New York
Wednesdays 9 AM – 1 PM
Thursdays 9 AM – 1 PM
Fridays 11 A – 4 PM
Saturdays 9 AM – 1 P

Carriage House Thrift Shop
Church of Divine Love
80 Sunset Road Montrose
Thursday & Saturday 10 am – 2 pm September-June
10 am – 1 pm July and August.

The Mustard Seed
Reformed Church of Cortlandtown
Saturday 10-2, Sunday 11-2
2124 Albany Post Rd.
Montrose (914) 737-6482

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

Here are some of my favorite quotes about thrift shopping that I love!

January 7, 2024/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

Happy New Year! I wanted to share with you some of my favorite quotes on thrift shopping! I hope that you enjoy them!

Thrift shopping is all about going into the thrift shop and having no expectation of what you might find.

Macklemore

My mom passed on her obsession of all things antique or vintage. I love to go thrift store shopping or explore any sort of garage sale. Treasure hunting is a family passion.

Zoey Deutch

Thrift shopping is really just an extension of me being that same kid and going into a place that’s completely unconventional that has really endless possibilities in terms of outfits that you can put together and really just expressing yourself.

Macklemore

I love thrift shopping. You can get ten things because everything costs, like, three dollars.

Lorde

I might wear skinny pants one day; I might wear thrift shop pants the next day.

Post Malone

I am a theater girl, and a lot of theater girls dress however pleases them. I wear whatever looks good on me. I wear what I wear because I have been shopping at thrift stores since I was five.

Kirsten Vangsness

The whole thing of clothes is insane. You can spend a dollar on a jacket in a thrift store. And you can spend a thousand dollars on a jacket in a shop. And if you saw those two jackets walking down the street, you probably wouldn’t know which was which.

Helen Mirren

Thank you, Brainy Quote, for the above quotes!

And here are three more:

Natalie Joos
On her advice for new vintage shoppers: “Never shop for something specific. Just browse. Don’t expect to find what you were looking for. It never works. Either go for cool pieces that stand out and are unique (you will keep them longer) or go for the big designer pieces that will last you a lifetime. Don’t buy things you know you will dispose of. Try stuff on. Vintage was made for smaller people. But don’t be afraid to buy things too big. Alterations are common when buying vintage. You don’t want to miss a cool piece just because it’s too big. Too small is not recommended!” —Elle, February 2013

Winona Ryder
“Most of my wardrobe is vintage and I’ve worn dresses to the Oscars that I got for $10. At Sean Penn’s last Haiti gala I wore this vintage dress that I’d worn to a film premiere in 2005. I know that’s kind of a no-no in the fashion world, but why wear something just once if you love it?” —Red, April 2014

Tracee Ellis Ross
“I buy a lot of vintage because, well, it’s AMAZING! And truthfully you can get great stuff for not a lot of money. I have a passion for vintage clothing because of the quality and uniqueness of the pieces (you don’t really have to worry about showing up in the same outfit as someone else). To update some of my vintage finds or sometimes just to make them fit, I have the help of a fabulous seamstress and dressmaker, Daniela Kurrle. She really is stupendous and our collaborations have resulted in some of my favorite dresses in my closet.” —her site, February 2013

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

Let It Shine Again (L.I.S.A.) Thrift Boutique in Verplanck. Great shopping with proceeds stocking The Pantry downstairs.

November 26, 2023November 26, 2023/ToniOnThrifting.com/3 Comments

I have been to the Let It Shine Again Thrift Boutique at least three or four times and have left happy with some great finds each time. It is not a large boutique but packed with excellent women’s clothes, gorgeous jewelry and accessories, and beautiful household merchandise. The last trip yielded me a Banana Republic skirt and a beautiful Ann Taylor Loft sweater — a classic and elegant outfit. I have done well on each trip to this fabulous boutique. All proceeds from the Let It Shine Again (L.I.S.A.) Thrift Boutique, go to The Pantry, a food pantry conveniently located downstairs from L.I.S.A. The Pantry serves Cortlandt residents on Fridays from 11 am until 3 pm and other local area residents right after.

I spoke to Kacey Morabito Grean, the founder of Let It Shine Again Thrift Boutique. With help from her sister, Maria Morabito, Kacey started a food pantry on January 1, 2019, because she heard some teachers were buying snacks for students who didn’t have them. Kacey and Maria organized a group of volunteers using the basement of Mt. Carmel Hall – in partnership with the Society of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Because the community was so generous- they began to shower their food shoppers with all kinds of good things: clothes – backpacks – and housewares!

The Shiny Nose Room dedicated to Christmas

Kacey often said, “If we only had a thrift store, we could really serve our shoppers”! The overworked volunteers would laugh and tell her to stop with “all her ideas.” One of her “ideas” was to create a nonprofit to fundraise for their work, supporting families and creating events like women’s weekends and vendor markets. Let It Shine Inc. was born in March of 2020.

One of the devoted (and most helpful) volunteers, Nancy with my thrift haul.

And then – Covid hit. They went from serving 60 food shoppers weekly to 125 cars lined up the road. They quickly outgrew the basement of Mt. Carmel Hall. Town of Cortlandt Councilman Frank Farrell was instrumental in getting a generous lease of the original Town Hall building. It has two floors – so they wasted no time emptying their basements and attics to open the L.I.S.A. Thrift Boutique in February of 2021.

L.I.S.A. is open Wednesday through Saturday, and on a good week, it brings in enough to cover the food bill for The Pantry. The bar is very high at LISA. They only take the best of the best donations. They have no storage space and few volunteers, so they must find the easiest way to do things!

Kacey says, “We can sum up our mission in two words. “Ahh” and “Wow.” When shoppers come into our pantry, we want them to feel “ahh”: ease and abundance.” Kacey also wants food shoppers to walk upstairs into the L.I.S.A.; “We want them to feel wow!” Kacey said, “Beauty is the gift that elevates the spirit. Raising the vibration is what Let It Shine is all about.”

Let It Shine also offers free acupuncture treatment to Cortlandt area residents undergoing cancer treatment. This initiative is called “Gracie’s Way. This is just part of the many initiatives that Let It Shine provides. They have a Holiday Market on Sunday, December 3^rd, from 11 am until 4 pm at Mt. Carmel Hall on 8^th Street at Highland Ave in Verplanck, New York. They are helping so many others that I am happy to get the word out so they make more money to feed more families. Kacey is doing a fantastic job, but as more families need help, so does Let It Shine. Your shopping dollars are helping feed families!

L.I.S.A. “Let It Shine Again” Thrift Boutique
137 7th Street,
Verplanck, New York
Wednesdays 9 AM – 1 PM
Thursdays 9 AM – 1 PM
Fridays 11 A – 4 PM
Saturdays 9 AM – 1 PM
Donations by appointment. Email Info@LetItShineOnline.com
Please check out their website for specific information on donations.
http://www.LetItShineOnline.com

When you are in the area, you can also visit:

St. Patrick’s Thrift Shop
240 11th St. Verplanck
Monday & Wednesday & Saturday, 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Carriage House Thrift Shop
Church of Divine Love
80 Sunset Road Montrose
Thursday & Saturday 10 am – 2 pm September-June
10 am – 1 pm July and August.

The Mustard Seed
Reformed Church of Cortlandtown
Saturday 10-2, Sunday 11-2
2124 Albany Post Rd.
Montrose (914) 737-6482

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

The Community Shop in Katonah – the shopping is excellent, and you are helping so many!

November 14, 2023/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

The Community Shop in Katonah is a higher-end thrift shop, and it is impressive. They carry women’s clothes, shoes, and accessories. They also have men’s and children’s clothes and shoes. All the better brands are there, and inventory is constantly changing, which I can attest to. But what is more impressive is that all proceeds from the Community Shop go directly back to the Community Center. The Community Center of Northern Westchester currently supports 3,000 Northern Westchester struggling families by providing food and clothing assistance and the programs and resources to support their journey back to self-sufficiency.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Ann Hardy, the manager of the Community Shop. Ann had a consignment shop in Bedford Hills scheduled to close towards the end of February 2019. She donated all inventory (including the racks) from her shop to the Community Center, where all clothing donations are dropped off. She stayed on as a volunteer to help them open the Community Shop just one week later, in March 2019. After two months of volunteering and the shop being a success, she was hired by the Community Center as a full-time manager for the Community Shop. By talking to Ann, you can tell how passionate she is about her work and how the Community Shop’s proceeds go directly back into the community.

The Community Center in Katonah has been helping struggling families in Northern Westchester for over 30 years. All the clothing donations are donated through the Community Center, where there is a clothing boutique and food pantry where families can shop once a month without paying. It is helping families in great need while treating them with dignity and respect. Programs are offered for learning skills and language, among others, to help build a better life for the families they serve. Some other services/programs they provide are career counseling, free eye exams and eyeglasses, college application help, health screenings and flu shots, and citizen exam preparation. The Community Center has also provided comfort to over 600 seniors through food, clothing, and essential supplies.

Ninety-five percent of the clothing donations brought to the Community Center are given to needy families. The remaining small percentage is sent to the Community Shop where it is sold, and the money helps keep the food pantry stocked, programs running, and their doors open to help those in need. If you want to help, clothing is only accepted at the Community Center, located at 84 Bedford Road, Katonah. They welcome donations of clean, gently used, seasonal clothing, shoes, and linens. They accept fall and winter clothing from September through March and spring and summer clothing from March through August. (Unfortunately, the Center cannot accept undergarments, second-hand pajamas, uniforms, bathing suits, books, toys, or stuffed animals.) If you have donations of houseware items, please visit their friends at the Katonah Thrift Shop across the street at 71 Bedford Road in Katonah.

Ann Hardy and Linda, one of the volunteers from the Community Shop

They are currently having a SHARE THE WARMTH drive. During October and November, the Share the Warmth drive collects new gloves, hats, socks, and blankets for children (infants through age 18). They will distribute these items during December. They gratefully accept donations when the Center is open. Please see their Share the Warmth page for details about the program. I have only told you a fraction of what they do – visit their website to learn all they do for the Northern Westchester Community. https://communitycenternw.org/

The Community Shop is located at 196 Katonah Avenue and is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11 AM until 5 PM. The number is 914.401.9163, and Ann Hardy’s email is ahardy@communitycenternw.org. Besides the great shopping at the Community Shop, you are helping the lives of so many families in their time of need.

Until next time, Happy Thrifting!

The Outreach Clothing Sale at the Church of St. Barnabas- One of the most popular sales in Westchester!

November 4, 2023November 4, 2023/ToniOnThrifting.com/2 Comments

The Outreach Clothing Sale has become one of the most popular and well-attended sales in Westchester County. This is because they have high-quality clothing at bargain basement prices. The sale opens to the public on Wednesday, November 8^th, and I assure you that there will be a long line starting early in the morning. It is well worth it to get the best merchandise. I have always found that I get the most for my money at this sale. This sale includes men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. It covers a few rooms and has a boutique rack with designer and vintage items. The pictures featured are for next week’s sale!

This is also one sale where the men’s section is just as phenomenal as the women’s. Everything from tee shirts, shorts, polos, long and short-sleeve tops, sweaters, coats and jackets, pants and jeans, and so much more. And when you go, you must visit the shoe section. I purchased some nice boots a couple of years ago.

I spoke to Linda Pierpont, one of the founders of the sale and a parishioner for 34 years. The first sale was in 1995. It has grown significantly yearly, and the sale proceeds have reached over one million dollars. Just a few of the dozens of organizations that have received grants from St. Barnabas include ARC Westchester Foundation, Blthyedale Children’s Hospital, Greenburgh Nature Center, Irvington Senior Citizen Center, New Rochelle Humane Society, Phelps Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation and that is to name a few.

Linda said that two of the most significant aspects of the Outreach Clothing sale are the sustainability factor, which keeps clothes out of landfills and gives them new purpose, and the fact that she gets to work with such outstanding people with a common goal in mind of helping the planet and others. Linda also wanted me to mention that donations for this sale far exceeded last year’s donations, and there will be some great finds for all.

If you go to only a few sales a year, I must insist you take advantage of this one!! I hope the pictures give you an idea of what an extraordinary sale this is!!

For those who donated to the sale, the preview day is Tuesday, November 7^th – keep that in mind so next year you contribute to get in that extra day early!!!!

2023 Outreach Clothing Sale

The Church of St. Barnabas

15 North Broadway

Irvington, New York

Wednesday, November 8: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday, November 9: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Friday, November 10: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday, November 11: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Don’t miss this sale, and until next time, Happy Thrifting!

ToniOnThrifting