Arc Thrift Store Expands in Rio

RIO GRANDE — The Arc of Cape May County, Inc. Thrift Shop at Fifth Street and Route 47, near Shop Rite, could well be one of the county’s most eclectic benefit shops.
Officially opened Aug. 25 in the former Eastern Auto store, a 7,500-square-foot, brightly lit, one-story entity directly benefits the Arc of Cape May County and those it assists, people with developmental disabilities.
Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted, as well as debit cards and, of course, cash.
Milt Wilson, 59, is the shop’s director, a post he has held for eight years. Assisting him is wife Debbie, and store manager Sara McCullum.
They oversee a constant turnover of donated clothing and a diverse collection of other “stuff.” That variety includes everything from a wooden fireplace from Congress Hall to wet suits, vintage figurines from “Occupied Japan” to prosthetic limbs, silver and gold, used TV sets, many from motels, and car wheels.
The ARC Thrift shop shifted into its new location from the former 4,000-square-foot location on Maryland Avenue. The shop had been in operation for 25 years, said Wilson. He has been affiliated with it for the past 13 years.
Wilson is no stranger to the area. He was pastor of Grace Gospel Church on Route 9 here for 16 years.
The odd collection of merchandise draws a variety of shoppers, income levels having little to do with their shopping interest.
So, said Wilson, one is as likely to see a Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz or Lexus parked near the front door as any other type vehicle.
He eschews the notion that the shop is a place where only lower-income buyers frequent.
“We like to call it Macy’s South,” Wilson smiled.
“It’s not just people in need who shop here. Smart people shop at thrift stores,” said Wilson.
He pointed to the fact that some of the merchandise is new, often with tags attached. Donors may have outgrown it, did not like its color or discarded it for another reason.
Donations may be dropped off behind the shop, accessible from the Shop Rite parking lot. Tax-deductible receipts are given for donors who request them.
The store has two drivers who will pickup large items or from those who do not have vehicles.
Arc consumers, some of whom work at the shop, are given free clothing, said Wilson.
“We also help people (victims) at CARA (Coalition Against Rape and Abuse) and fire victims. We give them vouchers for clothes and household items.
“We are all for giving a hand up, not a hand out,” said Wilson.
The shop only sells clean clothing, although it receives far too much (estimated 1 million pounds a year) to wash prior to selling.
“If you come here, you might buy a pair of pants for $5 instead of $50,” he said.
Among the most curious donations received at the thrift shop were prosthetic legs, mastectomy supplies, silver and gold jewelry and some cars.
Forget pianos, since they’re too hard to move.
“We are here to try to help people, but you can’t help everybody,” said Wilson from vast experience working with the public.
Wilson was quick to give credit and praise to for thrift store director Toni Isgro.
“She turned a tiny store into a real venture. My wife and I are taking it to the next level,” said Wilson.
At the Arc Thrift store, Wilson is “just” Milt. On Sundays, add Rev. to his name. That’s because he is pastor of Good Samaritan Baptist Church on Townbank Road, North Cape May.
After his 16 years as Grace Gospel pastor in 2000, Wilson taught at Cape Christian Academy for a year.
“This is really the best of both worlds,” said Wilson.
“Some people come in and need a prayer or a listening ear. So it becomes more than just a store, it’s almost like a ministry,” he believes.
As Wilson surveyed the merchandise assortment from amid the sales floor, he noted that without the backing of Arc Executive Director Frank Unkle and support of the board of directors, who advocated purchasing the building and relocating, it would not have happened.
Also, credit the slack real estate market, which made it possible for The Arc to negotiate a fair price for the prime highway location.
So, if you need an elephant painting or used bicycle, a black suit jacket or a personal flotation device, it’s likely to be found at The Arc Thrift Shop, but don’t delay, it may never be on sale again.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com