Business & Tech
Pop Some Tags, Rock it Grandpa Style
If you've got $20 in your pocket, these are some of this editor's favorite thrift shops in the area.
In part one of our thrift store series, we present three shops that are worth a trip. Whether you're on the prowl for vintage finds, clothes, or even pulling together a Halloween costume, this is a great place to start.
This is not a comprehensive list, but all the shops we feature do benefit charitable causes.
Next week part two will list additional stores.
DCA Thrift shop, (Darien Community Association) 996 Post Road, Darien, CT
Phone: (203) 655-4552
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Benefits: Scholarships for Darien High School graduates.
Stop in frequently because they have a variety of specials and "bag specials" on any random Day. The prices are incredibly low. I've been visiting this tore since 1975. Best buys over the years include $5.00 for real lizard cowboy boots and $35.00 for a knee length Italian suede coat in perfect condition.
The DCA Thrift Shop was founded in 1931 to supply clothing and food to families in need, and offer employment for women during the Depression. Workers washed and mended donated clothing and repaired household articles, which were then sold at very low prices.
Today’s Thrift Shop is run by over 70 dedicated volunteers, and shoppers from as far away as New York City regularly peruse the tables, finding a variety of unique and branded items.
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Something Special, A Vintage Thrift Shop. Located behind Our Lady of Fatima School, 225 Danbury Rd in Wilton, CT
Tel: (203) 762-8100
Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 1:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Benefits: Our Lady of Fatima School
The shop, located down a long driveway behind our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, is small but all items are vintage. The store is clean, volunteers are friendly and all items are donated from the community.
The day Patch visited, longtime volunteer and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School mom of four, Kerry Greeff, was working alongside manager Karen O'Toole. The selection featured vintage aviator sunglasses, Betty Draper era cocktail glasses and needlepoint chair covers to name just a few.
A unique feature of the store is that volunteers maintain a "wish list" where customers write down their email and item of their dreams and the volunteers will keep their feelers out!
Every year the volunteers host the annual Sparkle & Shine Sale. It features a Christmas Boutique, jewelry and more. The volunteers promise "Fabulous finds at unbelievable prices!"
Salvation Army, 34 North Main St., Port Chester, NY
Phone (914) 939-1620
Benefits: Salvation Army thrift stores raise money for alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation programs.
Salvation Army, known by some as "Sal's Boutique," operates a thrift store a stone's throw from the Port Chester train station in the former Kaplan's department store. Merchandise is fills three entire floors (the stairs up to the fourth floor were roped off when Patch visited in September).
The building is a bit run down, but the selection is vast and prices cheap. The first floor has a wide variety of furniture, including rows of sofas and tables, as well as shoes and electronics. Upstairs, there is rack upon rack of clothing sorted and displayed by color as well as type of garment.
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