After being forced to shut down for the first time in 50 years due to the coronavirus, St. Mary Advocates Thrift Store has officially reopened. As of October 7th, the shop located at 536 Garden Street in Hoboken, has been back in business and is implementing safety protocols.
“The front was sanitized – everything was cleaned. We take your temperature before you come in, and no more than six people are allowed in at one time,” volunteer worker Marietta Chaneski shared with Hoboken Girl. “The clothes [that are donated] are in the back for a long time before they are let out to the front of the store.” Here’s what you need to know about the re-opening.
Donations
St. Mary Advocates’ mission is to raise funds for health care and health education through sales from the store. The non-profit, which was formerly known as the Hoboken University Medical Center Auxiliary up until 2011, is accepting donations of secondhand clothes and household items. From women’s and men’s shoes and sneakers to lingerie, sunglasses, and handbags, there are plenty of options for what you can donate. However, they will not accept furniture, food, major appliances, used underwear, or items recalled by CPSC. For a complete listing of what’s accepted, visit St. Mary’s website:
“I will say that the clothes that are donated to us are really top-notch because we live in a yuppie town and [people] change jobs and they give us everything,” another worker Frances Bove told Hoboken Girl. “We have a lot of Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren, especially for men, and Michael Kors. We have a lot of winter coats that are $5! We have a lot of very inexpensive things. We had something for $159 and we sold it for $20. We have great bargains and beautiful clothes. Right now somebody’s buying a pair of brand new Coach shoes!”
Read More: Hoboken Getting a Pop-Up Vintage Market Called ‘Hoboken Flea’
Proceeds from sales provide monetary contributions to various organizations and charities.
Bove mentioned, “We give $5,000 to the [Hoboken] Ambulance Corp every year. We gave $10,000 to Wounded Warriors. This year we’re going to give $5,000 to Tunnel to Towers, and we give scholarships for anyone going into the medical profession. We give five scholarships a year and we do it for four years.”
The Details
The thrift store is cash only and is open Wednesday from 10:00AM-2:00PM, Thursday from 12:30PM-4:30PM, and Saturday from 12:30PM-4:30PM.
Frances, who has been with St. Mary for years, added that the thrift shop is “definitely looking” for volunteers. If you are looking to give back in more ways than donating, visit their website for more information.
