Hope For Long Island thrift shop held its grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 1. Located in two stores, side by side and adjacent to the parking lot off Audrey Avenue, opposite 20th Century Cycles, it is easy to spot.
Inside the shop, Karen Connolly, the thrift shop director, welcomed visitors to view two rooms of donations being offered at more than reasonable prices. The shop is an outreach of the North Shore Community Church at 213 South St., Oyster Bay. The profits from the store will fund the church’s outreach programs.
Pastor John Yenchko gave the reason for the store by summing up the mission of his church.
“Jesus tells us to feed the hungry and every Saturday between 9 and 10 a.m. we operate a food pantry,” Yenchko said. “We are to ‘heal the sick’ and we are hosting a free flu vaccine clinic open to everyone on Sunday, Oct. 11, in the church, after the worship service around 12:30 p.m. and again on Saturday morning, Oct. 17, at 9 a.m.”
That will be during the food pantry time and the opening day of the Oyster Festival.
“We are to ‘cloth those who need covering’ and so we have a thrift store where people can come and find clothing and treasures,” he said.
Those who would like to donate can bring gently used clothing and small household items to the church office.
“You can just put them on the church office front porch, they will be safe,” Yenchko added.
He introduced Karen Connolly, whom he called, “a force of nature, who has a huge heart for helping” and is the thrift shop director. Helping her will be the mother/daughter team of Gail and Beth Ruben.
Connolly said that helping out at the shop will be members of Youth Adults in Action who will volunteer in the store for two to four hours a week.
Yenchko said the work gives the young people a sense of purpose and dignity. He introduced Jim Westbrook, the church administrator, who he said keeps things running.
The stores are open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Michele Johnson presented Yenchko with a town citation in honor of opening the new stores, and added, “This is just the kind of business that is welcome in the town, one that helps everybody.”
Historic Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce President Dottie Simons, administrative director Shari Cope-Dembowski and vice president Alex Gallego also attended the opening. Johnson’s daughter, Veronica, was also there, charming everyone.
The North Shore Community Church had been running a thrift shop inside Buckingham Village for several years, until the variety store closed recently. The church is carrying on a tradition started many years ago by St. Paul’s Methodist Church, the first owner of the South Street property in 1891.
“There is a thrift store subculture here on Long Island,” Yenchko commented. “A lot of people really enjoy going to thrift stores to find special items and we are happy to serve them. People can be part of the blessing by dropping off donations or by buying treasures at great deals for themselves.”
Oyster Bay itself has several thrift stores in town that serve that subculture. What can be better than a bargain?
