Thrift Store
In the late 1980's the hallways of the Catholic Social Services office, commonly known as the Little Red House, were beginning to be cluttered with donations from the Augusta community. Sr. Noreen Dennehy would rummage through the donations giving families the things they could use. As the donations began to increase, Sr. Noreen recruited the help of Philomena Mooney to organize the donations. Soon, monthly yard sales emerged. People from all over the Augusta area were hearing of the brown bag sale, everything they could fit in a brown bag for $1.00. It did not go unnoticed that people were taking pride in being able to provide for their family and buy them the clothing that they needed rather than taking a handout.
In 1990, Father Costigan gave CSS permission to try their hand at a small thrift store in the Blue House located in what is now the parking lot of St. Mary's Church. The church community as well as people from all over the Greater Augusta area began sending their donations to the store. As donations and customers grew, so did the need for more hours, volunteers and space. The Little Blue House was fulfilling its mission, using the community donations to give the less fortunate a way to provide for their families.
Tragedy struck and the Blue House burnt to the ground a few years later. Disheartened but not discouraged, staff and volunteers went back to yard sales in the parking lot, while customers anxiously awaited the new facility. Shortly after, the Thrift shop was moved to the corner of Monte Sano and Central Avenues. Donations flourished and with a bus stop directly in front of the building customers came from all over the city.
Within a year of moving to the new site both a full time manager, a part time assistant and a part time driver were employed. Two years later two additions were built to accommodate the growing number of donations. The Thrift Shop was bursting at the seams. In 2000 the store moved to its current home at 2110 Broad Street. At first only 4,500 sq feet of the building were being used, but by 2001 the full 9,000 sq. feet were in operation. The store is home to 9 different departments, including clothing, home wear, books, crafts, toys, medical supplies, antiques, art and even the odd car and boat.
The Thrift Store is more than a thrift store to everyone involved. To many of the customers, the store is more than a place to come and find good deals. It is a meeting place, a place to feel confident and proud. To the volunteers, the store is an outlet to reach to the community, a place to meet friends and a place to belong.
If you were to ask any of the volunteers or customers what their favorite part of the CSS Thrift Store is, you may get some very different answers. Perhaps it is Friday morning bingo and door prizes or Santa Claus coming to the Half way to Christmas party. Maybe it is having a place to go and have a sense of purpose after retiring or making your 90-year-old mother's week by bringing her to shop. It might even be strolling through the aisles meeting new people or the sense of community the minute you walk in the door. Each individual, be it volunteer or customer has a different reason for their love.
In its nearly 15 years of existence, the CSS Thrift Store has grown from a monthly yard sale to a 9,000sq. Ft. store. It has touched the lives of many in the Augusta community. It is because of the loving donations, dedicated staff and gracious customers that the mission of the store is being fulfilled. It is our hope that the passion and love that comes in everything involved with the store continues to bring joy to everyone who walks in the door.
The Catholic Social Services Thrift Store is open Monday through Saturday. 9am to 4pm.
Please come and visit with us.