By Heather Skinner
RICHMONDVILLE - Customer: “Is the store open now?”
Employee: “We are open! Come on in!”
On May 21st, The Catholic Charities Thrift Shop re-opened their doors in a new location. When passing by their previous location (489 West Main Street), the sign says: “Catholic Charities; We have moved to 1455 STATE ROUTE 7, RICHMONDVILLE, NY; 518-234-3581.”
Now in the same building as Cobleskill/Richmondville Twist ‘N Flip, the shared entrance door is where you enter to either head upstairs to the gym, or to the right for the Thrift Shop. The door to the right of the entrance labeled 125 with their DONATIONS ACCEPTED sign will only be used by staff to move items in and out.
On April 30th, The Catholic Charities of Schoharie County shared a final announcement on Facebook that they were moving. All items were free with the goal of “EVERYTHING MUST GO!” Amy Pricolo-Brown said they accomplished getting rid of a lot before the move. What was left, they picked through and kept the best items to bring to the new location, and new donations were accepted before the Grand Opening.
Their offices opened in 1976, and their Thrift Shop had been in the old location for almost fifty years, so there was a lot of stuff to go through. The move was a long process, recounted Pricolo-Brown, but the final step in the whole move was to re-open the Thrift Shop, so now the process is officially complete.
The move came out of needing more space as an agency to accommodate the large number of helpful programs Catholic Charities of Schoharie County offers, and will also give them room as they continue to add more necessary programs to serve Schoharie County. Buying products from their Thrift Shop helps support this non-profit make a difference in the community through their domestic violence program, child advocacy center, housing program, emergency assistance program that helps people in emergency situations (like a power shutoff), food pantry, NOEP coordinator who helps people with SNAP benefits through the process, counseling program, and family support services program. The Schoharie County branch is one part of Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties, each branch offering different programs.
On Grand Opening day, there was an impressive collection of shoes and clothing racks, jewelry, fire extinguishers, pet needs, décor for all holidays, desks and tables, chairs and shelves, plate sets and kitchen essentials, tools, books, puzzles, games, cards, photo frames, toys, DVDs ($1), CDs (50 cents), VHS tapes, craft items, knitting needles, and unopened bags of pens. Also spotted for sale was an Igloo portable cooler, roller skates, and even a very appropriate sign for sale that read, “Anybody that says money can’t buy happiness doesn’t know where to Shop.”
Price lists are posted around the store, starting as low as 50 cents for socks, $1 hats, $3 shoes, winter boots are $4, winter coats $6, and Prom dresses and evening gowns are only $10!
Pricolo-Brown expressed heartfelt appreciation on their Thrift Shop’s Grand Opening day saying, “We could not have done any of it without our volunteers.” Twenty-seven volunteers put in many long hours making a new countertop, putting up all the shelves, putting desks together, moving items, and stocking everything. One of the volunteers asked Pricolo-Brown, “What would you have done without us?” Pricolo-Brown replied, “Honestly, I don’t know,” and wants each and every volunteer to know how thankful everyone is for their help and would like them to know that they and their efforts are recognized.
Thrift Shop store hours are Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM. They accept donations Wednesdays and Saturdays 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM or by appointment (call 518-234-3581 x322). June Corcoran recommended that all donations you consider bringing be gently used in good condition.
Catholic Charities office hours are Monday-Wednesday and Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM, Thursday 8:30 AM-6:30 PM, closed Saturdays and Sundays, and closes for lunch daily from 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM, but the Thrift Shop does not close for lunch. All mail can be sent to them at PO Box 223, Warnerville, NY 12187. The emergency assistance and emergency food pantry number for the Oneonta office is 607-432-0061, and for immediate assistance with domestic violence, please call their 24/7 hotline at 518-234-2231.
Executive Director, Christy Houck, would like to invite you to join the Catholic Charities in a celebration of their move during their Open House on June 9th from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at 1455 State Route 7.
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