A soft pink sweater from Talbot’s for me, a brand new K-Nex building set for my grandson, and two colorful beach bags for my daughter came to the unbelievable total of just $9 during my recent shopping trip to Stone Harbor’s St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
This ‘N’ That Thrift Shop in Rio Grande. The shop was founded in July of this year, the brainchild of Gail Noble and Betty Couch, and is located in the former bank building on Hirst Ave.
“While volunteering for United Way in Wildwood, I saw the need for affordable housing in Cape May County,” commented Noble. “Revitalization of the Wildwoods really left an awful hole. So many people have been displaced out of their apartments. We’ve talked to 20 different organizations around the state, and no matter how many organizations are working on it, it’s not enough.”
The thrift shop works together with Heavenly Scavengers, also of St. Mary’s, who salvage furniture and kitchenware from homes ready to be demolished. From a seed of an idea in 1999, the scavengers have grown considerably, putting literally thousands of items in the hands of needy families, furnishing group homes and foster homes, agency waiting rooms, rooms of people living in assisted living facilities.
The group has worked with volunteers from dozens of organizations, schools, and churches, and maintains a large warehouse at the Cape May County Airport. Nothing they distribute is for sale, only distributed for free. Since July of this year, the This ‘N’
That Thrift Shop has also worked for the cause of the needy and homeless. Items are donated and then sold at excellent prices to benefit those in need. “One hundred percent of the profits will go back to the community,” said Noble.
If you are into bargains, then you will certainly want to visit the shop. With a children’s room, and men’s, women’s, holiday, house wares, and furnishings departments, the store is filled with clothing, curtains, knickknacks, toys, books, handbags and loads more. The day I went, soft music was playing which made shopping even more of a pleasant experience.
You might even meet a familiar face there. Manager Betty Couch is the expert in pricing and she, along with assistant manager Martha Barb, and Dee Denham, all formerly volunteered at the hospital’s thrift shop.
So make a visit to the This ‘N’ That Shop (open Mon., Wed., Fri. 10-4 and Tues., Thurs., Sat. 10-1). Not only will you come away with some great finds, but you will be doing your part for a very worthy cause.