The Hudson Valley SPCA took over the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital thrift store in April and is now looking to expand and rebrand its name. Located at 436 Blooming Grove Turnpike, in New Windsor (with a smaller shop at 1012 Little Britain Road), the Hudson Valley SPCA Thrift Shop will soon be named Bloomingdeals! Resale. A furniture consignment shop, to be named Bloomingdeals! Consignor’s Emporium, will be opening next door to the Blooming Grove Turnpike location.
St. Luke’s Hospital started a thrift shop in the 1970s and had several locations before settling in New Windsor six years ago. In January, hospital officials decided they didn’t need to be in the retail business and opted to close the shop.
The news left approximately 50 volunteers upset and scrambling for ways to save the shop. Some suggested moving it into the empty space at the Cornwall campus, while others considered seeking a non-profit organization to take it over.
Vicki Benton, a part-time manager of the thrift shop along with Cindy Topps, approached the HVSPCA, which already had a small shop by the airport. The animal shelter’s board liked the idea and worked out a deal with the hospital. In April, the shop was re-opened. Benton and Topps stayed on as managers and the 50 volunteers were also retained.
Since opening, the shop has been rearranged and the prices lowered to bring more customers into the door. Ina Tietjen, director of business development for the shelter, is now looking to use this shop as a model for other shops in the Hudson Valley in order to bring in more revenue for the shelter.
Within the next week, a used furniture consignment shop is expected to open next door. About 15 artists, including jewelry makers, calligraphers, photographers, and painters will be invited to sell their artwork. A percentage of their sales will go toward the shelter.
Topps said it costs approximately $250,000 to operate the no-kill shelter annually. About 80 percent of the money made in the thrift shop goes directly to taking care of the animals while the other 20 percent covers overhead costs.
The thrift shop contains a wide variety of items including electronics, books and CDs, furniture, housewares, jewelry, toys, games, and clothing. Prices on most clothing range from $3 to $6. Children’s clothing is sold for as little as $1.50 and more expensive items like coats and gowns are being sold for $12 and $25 respectively. A small selection of books can be purchased for 25 or 50 cents each, while a furniture set, including a couch, love seat and chair, recently sold for under $500. Volunteers research specialty items on eBay that are available at half of the auction prices. Expensive-looking jewelry is appraised and sold at a reasonable price. The shop even has a selection of vegan pocket books which are not made from leather.
Tax deductible donations can be made to the thrift shop by dropping off items at the back door during regular business hours. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Donations of food, little, toys, blankets and sheets – for the animals – can also be dropped off.
For the consignment shop, Topps said items are not donated, but furniture will be sold by contract. The owner sets the price and the shop adds an additional cost. When the item is sold, each party takes their cut. Topps said furniture pick-up is not available at the moment, but there are three people willing to provide transportation at a low rate.
