The Long Valley Junior Women’s Club is proud to announce that its boutique thrift shop, Racks, earned first place in the Morris/Essex Health & Life Readers’ Choice Awards under the category of thrift/consignment shops. The shop also won second place under the category of overall women’s fashions.  

“We are delighted with this wonderful endorsement from the readers of Morris/Essex Magazine,” said Michelle Barron, Co-VP of Racks. “The support we have received from our community has been amazing.”  

Racks is a unique, non-profit clothing and jewelry boutique run completely by volunteers. All proceeds are returned to the community and support a wide variety of local organizations including schools, police, fire, first aid, battered women’s shelters, food pantries and many others. Racks will also provide clothing to families in crisis situations at no cost. Last year, Racks generated over $9,000 in proceeds that were donated back to the community.

Racks opened its doors in the heart of downtown Long Valley in the spring of 2018 and celebrated its one-year anniversary last May. The retail space was charmingly renovated by members of the Long Valley Junior Women’s Club and local contractors, painters and carpenters who donated their services. “We wanted to create a beautiful space where we would enjoy shopping,” said Hanna Starr, Racks Co-VP. Starr attributes the store’s success to the quality of the merchandise, most of which is priced at $5 and the lovely store atmosphere.   “We only sell items that are in excellent condition. Many pieces still have original store tags,” said Starr. All inventory comes from merchandise donated in a Racks bin at the back of the store parking lot and carefully sorted by Club volunteers. Any items not sold at Racks are re-donated to Big Brothers of NJ.

“Michelle and I are incredibly proud of how far the store has come,” said Starr.  “We are especially grateful for our hard-working volunteers, loyal customers, and the generous donations from our community.”

Racks is located at 20 Schooleys Mountain Road in Long Valley.  Additional information can be found at lvjuniors.org or facebook.com/RacksThriftBoutique.