by Elsie Walker

Over 70 years ago, church member Iva Sweeney started a thrift shop at the Succasunna United Methodist Church located at 91 Main Street, Succasunna.  She started the shop to help the community and to help the church.   In that spirit, the thrift shop has thrived.   Stacy Migneault, of Succasunna, noted that customers have told her that the shop’s prices, given the quality of the items, are better than they’ve found elsewhere. Migneault has been volunteering at the shop for 11 – 12 years and is co-manager.  The shop is there for a wide variety of shoppers, with proceeds from the shop benefiting the church and its missions. In addition, donated items the shop can’t sell are given to groups which can use them to help people.  Along with Migneault, the shop is run by a small group of volunteers:  Joyce Sciacca, Landing; Elena Case, Wharton; Tina Smith, Budd Lake; and Pauline Hoover, Landing.  Hoover is the other co-manager, matriarch, and part of the original “thrift shop gals” (as shop volunteers call themselves).   Recently, Migneault talked about the shop. 

The shop is open on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:45am.  It has a wide variety of items, both  new  and gently used.  There is clothing for babies, children, and adults with brand name and designer labels.   There are belts, jewelry, shoes, coats, luggage, housewares (dishes, pots, pans, etc.), home décor, small appliances (like microwaves and crockpots) and more.  Seasonal items are put out during their respective time of year.   Twice a year, there is a “fill a bag”, where shoppers are given a bag they can fill and pay just $10 for all they get in the bag: “the ‘fill a bag’ is on mostly clothes and shoes only  [new items excluded],” shared Migneault.  During the month of December, there is a Christmas boutique in one room.  

Migneault shared that all kinds of shoppers come to the thrift shop.  There are people who come because they like a

good deal.  There are people who all they do is go to thrift stores.  Some people are shopping to make their money stretch when buying items to send to family overseas. There are those looking for things they can’t afford elsewhere. There are small business owners looking to find a niche item.  Shoppers know it when they’ve found a good place.  Migneault noted there’s a customer who drives in from Pennsylvania to shop.   The volunteers have bonded with some of the regulars, who then become friends. 

Donations are taken on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am –11am.   Donations are tax-deductible and the shop gives out slips for that purpose.   Although sometimes they receive items  they can’t sell,  “I will always find a home for it, “ said Migneault.  She recalled getting some furniture.  The thrift store couldn’t use it; it doesn’t have the space.   Migneault contacted Family Promise in Morristown which works with homeless families going into Section 8 housing.  She took pictures of the furniture and Family Promise found a home for it.    In addition, Migneault works with local social services to swap things.  The thrift store gives social services things it can’t sell, and social services gives things it’s received that it can’t use for its clients, but the shop could sell.  Clothing that can’t be sold goes to Market Street Mission. 

When asked about volunteering at the thrift shop and why she does it, Migneault explained that her role model for volunteering was her mother. Her mother did things for others before doing for herself. That selflessness is something that Migneault emulates. She also shared, “When you know you’re helping someone, it’s a wonderful feeling.”

For more information on the Succasunna United Methodist Church Thrift Shop, visit its webpage at sumcnj.org/serve/missions/   or see its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SUMCThriftshop.