This is one of those times when I debate with myself...should I say something about this place, or should I keep it all to myself? Because in the world of thrifting, this place harkens to the old style - jumble of items, packed, run by volunteers for the benefit of a charity. You know, treasure hunts. I love treasure hunts.
I'm on my way to downtown Lansdowne one morning and I see a simple wooden A-frame sign: "Re-Purpose Shop". Oooh. Interesting name. Will it be like a Habitat store? Something else? I turn on the side street, then into the parking lot of the church it's housed in. Hm.. No more signs. Well, that door looks logical, so I go in...to an empty hall and kitchen area...but wait, beyond that, some light. Ah!
They have two rooms, and have partitioned so one is clothes and the other is 'everything else'. The shelves are packed and there's stuff along the floor too. Roughly categorized, it was so much fun rooting through and finding some cool stuff.
The volunteers are very cool, one has a small dog who greeted me with a welcoming sniff, wearing his little doggy Eagles sweater. Aw. Then I was not interesting and he went back to whatever he was doing.
This is not a place run by professional organizations under the mask of 'thrift'. It's not neat and super shiny. It's a mad wonderful jumble, and for a treasure hunter it's an absolutely great place to be.
They're only open a couple of days a week. I had cash, I don't remember if they take plastic. Benefits the church's programs which include their food pantry. read more