I will admit that I am not much of a thrifter. I mean, a lot of the thrift stores have good deals and such, but I just never really got around to checking out the full extent of the hodgepodge amount of treasure such stores may have.
Instead, I utilize thrift stores for "unique supplies" for my treasure/scavenger hunts (creating hides for geocaching and letterboxing), props for my photography, or challenges in adventure books (such as The Adventure Challenge, family, solo, and friends editions).
This time, however, while I was looking for props to complete a thrift store challenge in my solo adventures book by My Adventures, I decided to really get a gander of the wares at Love Is A Verb. Firstly, it is the thrift store owned and operated by my friend's mother. Second, almost all the thrift stores around and about are non-profit and for the community. That alone is a worthwhile endeavor to respect and admire. I guess I've been around enough to the point I know there are for-profit thrift stores, which are more like consignment.
Love Is A Verb is located in this somewhat "abandoned" (said in quotes because it is not abandoned but definitely off the beaten path when in terms of consumer activity) strip mall on the northern part of Babcock St. in Melbourne, FL. It is a small store owned and operated by Doris Golindano. It is technically both a thrift shop and Christian ministry, so they do a lot for the community as best as they could given the resources they have.
Taking in the latter part of what I previous said, Doris gets a lot of her staffing through volunteering. When I was there, there were two teenagers who put in volunteering at Love Is A Verb (which I probably should shorthand to LV for the remainder of the review). She also gets her daughter, Paula, to help out with the store, too.
The hours can be a bit finicky. They can range depending on when Doris works at her primary job. Like I said, non-profit. But non-profit doesn't mean the bills get paid, and just like you and me, she has her responsibilities, too. Still, for a thrift shop, it gets enough attention and service to be manageable with the time.
When I say non-profit, I mean it. The prices are amazing for thrift store prices in general. I saw amazing items for my hobbies at cutthroat cheap prices. Think of cents, not dollars. Still, it was more than good and would definitely buy some of the goods I found there for backdrop and props.
Finally, I must stress that not everything is sold at LV, but given out for free via a table sitting up front of the store. I assume the majority of the free times could be books and hardcopy movies/television shows, but there were some unique knick-knacks on the table, too.
Overall, LV is a fine establishment for what they offer and what they represent: a non-profit thrift shop that offers paid volunteerism and evangelism. I will definitely be back to check out more of their wares for whatever hobbies I may be evoking at the time, but give the place a visit, and maybe you'll find something you'll be needing or looking for, too. read more