Specialties
Second Chance Thrift Shoppe sells new and gently used clothing, housewares, collectables, jewelry, books, electronics, toys, videos, linens, furniture, and more!
We are almost entirely volunteer run, which enables us to maximize our support for Garden Center Services to whom we donate 100% of our profits to help fund programs and services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Second Chance is proud to train and employ people with disabilities in our shop. Our incredible staff with and without disabilities work side-by-side to give you the best possible shopping experience.
Originally located in Lemont, Garden Center Services recently moved to our new shop in Mt. Greenwood on June 15, 2022.
History
Established in 2008.
The original Second Chance Thrift Shoppe opened on July 1st 2008 in Lemont, IL. It was created to raise funds for Garden Center Services, a provider of services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by parents whose son lives in a Garden Center home.
In early 2020, Second Chance was working to make the move to be closer to Garden Center programs and enable individuals served by the agency to work at the shop. After the COVID shutdown, those plans were put on hold until 2022 when the store was able to move into its new location in Garden Center's administrative building on 104th and Kedzie Avenue in Mt. Greenwood.
Meet the Business Owner: Gerry B.
Garden Center Services was established in 1956 as a grassroots effort to support children with developmental disabilities and their families. As those children grew, Garden Center grew with them. Today, Garden Center Services serves over 100 people, supporting them to live as independently as possible at home, to earn a living doing a job they love, and to learn skills to help each person reach their individual goals.
Second Chance Thrift Shoppe is dedicated to supporting Garden Center Services and their mission of advancing lives of connection, contribution, and meaning for persons with developmental disabilities and the individuals that support them.
Second Chance fulfills this goal by raising funds through providing an amazing thrift experience for the community with quality items, in a comfortable environment, served by a friendly (and mostly volunteer) staff.
If you want to help, visit our website for info on shopping, donating, and/or volunteering at the shoppe!