Difficult economic times are driving some people to cut back on their spending and that fact is apparent at area thrift shops, where sales are up and more people than usual are coming through the doors.
CLARE MARIE CELANO Sylvia Johnson (front), the volunteer manager of the St. Peter’s Church Thrift Shop, Freehold Borough, and volunteer Elaine Zarr place clothes on the racks at the store. Johnson said that during the current economic times, more people are coming into the store to shop. Sylvia Johnson, the volunteer manager of St. Peter’s Church Thrift Shop, Throckmorton Street, Freehold Borough, said she is seeing many people shopping at the store who have never frequented the location before.
“People who used to shop at Macy’s tell me they are now shopping here for clothes,” Johnson said.
The St. Peter’s thrift shop, which has been operating for more than 20 years, sees about 70 customers a day, and there is a large turnover of items, so customers can often find just what they are looking for.
Johnson became the manager of the store in November 2008.
According to a press release, sales were averaging about $900 per month at that time and have since increased to about $1,900 per month.
Donations of clothing are accepted when the thrift store is open.
In the face of a national recession in which some people have lost their job and others are struggling to keep their home, Johnson said, “For some people, shopping here is a way of life now.”
Referring to the thrift shop, the Rev. Frank Hebert of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, said, “This is who we are. It’s our ministry. It’s the work we do in the name of God. We did it when the economy was good, when it was so-so, and now when it’s down. The economy doesn’t change our identity or our motivation.”
June Vawter has spent a lot of time volunteering at the thrift shop over the past 20 years.
“It also offers a place to be social,” she said of the shop. “It’s like a family here now. We have so many regulars who come in and know all of us.”
Clothing is available for men, women, infants, children and teenagers. Also available are household items such as dishes, flatware, bed linens, irons, toasters and other small appliances.
Shirts and blouses sell for $3 and jeans and dress slacks also sell for $3. Jackets range from $3 to $12.
“Many people are looking for a job and need something nice to wear,” Johnson said, adding that men can purchase a three-piece suit for $8.
It is clear that Johnson loves what she is doing, and to her it is more than just selling clothes and household items. Her work includes helping people feel better about themselves, especially in these tough economic times.
“If they are not smiling when they come in, they are smiling when they walk out. You walk in and say you need a hug, you get it,” she said.
The St. Peter’s thrift shop is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
As the economy continues to struggle, Angela Ashley, manager for development at Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood, said people “are buying thrifty more and more.”
Ashley said the medical center operates three thrift shops; Lots for Little, which has operated for 30 years, in Lakewood; Kimball Closet, which has been operating for six years in Jackson; and the Treasure Chest, which has been operating for eight years in Lakehurst.
In addition to offering casual clothes for men, women and children, certain shops cater to specific needs, according to Ashley.
“Kimball Closet in Jackson has a lot of new wedding gowns, all donated from David’s Bridal. This shop specializes in dressy garments,” Ashley said. “Dresses sell for $10 and gowns are just $15, some still with their tag on.”
The Treasure Chest in Lakehurst carries a large variety of furniture, according to Ashley.
All three of the Kimball Medical Center thrift shops carry china and small appliances such as coffee pots, flatware, irons and toasters.
Casual clothing including sweaters, sport jackets and suits are $8, and shoes for men, women and children are $3 a pair.
Ashley said donations of clothing and other items to the Kimball Medical Center thrift shops have continued to come in on a steady basis. She said she is hoping that kindness on the part of individuals who are able to make a donation continues during the difficult economic times.
Dot Peterson, who manages the CentraStateMedical Center thrift shop on Jackson Street, Freehold Borough, said sales in her store have been a bit slower than usual and said donations to the store have seen a decline, a fact that worries her a great deal.
“Our sales are down a bit and our quantity is down a bit,” she said, adding that the not only is the quantity down, but that the quality of garments she is receiving is declining.
Peterson said she believes people may be holding on to their clothes more these days or that they may be selling their gently used garments to consignment shops and trying to make some money rather than donating them to a thrift store.
Peterson, who has managed the CentraState thrift store for 14 years, said she is seeing more customers who are traveling a longer distance to shop at the store.
She said that as a rule, January and February are usually the store’s slowest months.
“March will tell us the story,” she said.
The CentraState Medical Center thrift store is in the Rug Mill Plaza and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The store offers clothing for men, women and children and also offers house wares such as dishes and glassware, among other items. Designer outfits, evening wear and men’s suits are also available. For further information call 732-462-3437.

