Visit SEVCA's Good Buy Store for Last Minute Holiday Shopping!
Ever have the feeling of being overwhelmed by the craziness of holiday shopping? How about getting back to basics? You don’t have to spend a lot when you shop at SEVCA’s Good Buy Thrift Stores in Hartford, Springfield, and Bellows Falls, but you’re sure to find something wonderful for everyone on your list. And you’ll be doing your part for the environment by reusing items that still have a lot of life left in them.
You’ll also feel great knowing that your purchases are helping SEVCA do great things in your community—like providing volunteer opportunities for people who need work experience to get that first job, or people with disabilities who want to show they have a lot to contribute, too. SEVCA’s Thrift Stores also give thousands of dollars’ worth of free furniture and clothing to local families in crisis every year—donations are often used to help a formerly homeless family furnish their new apartment, or to provide clothing for someone who just lost everything in a fire. Supporting the Thrift Stores with your donations and your purchases is a great way to contribute to your local economy and the well-being of your neighbors at the same time.
What will you find at the Good Buy Store? Almost everything you need: clothing for the whole family, small appliances, glassware, fine china, furniture, paintings, books, cds, toys, and loads of holiday decorations. Telos Whitfield, Store Manager at the Springfield and Bellows Falls locations, said that someone recently came into the store and bought a fully decorated artificial Christmas tree for $15! She says the Thrift Stores honor many holiday traditions, and often have Hanukkah and solstice decorations on offer as well.
“The stores offer a real treasure hunt for our shoppers!” Telos exclaimed. “It’s really enjoyable for people to discover something really wonderful that they never expected to find.” The stores have an Antiques and Collectibles section that is packed with such treasures. A few examples at the Springfield store: a vintage print of George Washington, an Elvis collector’s plate, an art deco bureau, an old steamer trunk, and an edition of the First Ladies Cookbook: Favorite Recipes of all the Presidents of the United States (1982). There is also original artwork, fine china, and jewelry.
Many new or almost-new items are available in all the stores, according to Director of Good Buy Thrift Stores, Darline Rhoades--and some of the best quality clothing is put out just for the holiday season, including a substantial selection of brand name clothing donated by faculty, staff, and students at Dartmouth College. “This means that our customers can purchase high-end, quality clothing that they couldn’t otherwise afford,” she says, “and that makes them feel good!” The stores have so many loyal, frequent customers, that Darline says they function like community centers or even an extended family….one where everyone seems to find just what they’re looking for to enrich their lives, whether it’s a kind word, a friendly face, or something more grand: “Recently we had a piano in the Hartford store,” she recalls, “And one of the customers stopped in that day and decided it was just what she was looking for so that her grandsons could take lessons!”
Stop by and check out what’s for sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. You can find our store locations and contact information here: http://www.sevca.org/thrift-stores/locations. SEVCA also gladly accepts donations of items in good condition (except for beds and mattresses), and can even arrange to pick up a furniture donation at no cost to you. Anyone with questions about what to donate should call ahead and ask a staff member.
