For good stuff cheap, check out the St. Croix Red Cross Thrift Shop Bag Sale. If they don’t have what you are looking for keep checking back because the sale runs through April 30.
“We get merchandise in daily and we are well stocked, so we decided to do a sale,” said Clarice Blake, interim director of the American Red Cross of the Virgin Islands. “There is a dire need in the community for gently used items, even if people don’t come out and admit it.”
Blake was volunteering her time Saturday stocking and hanging clothing, some with store tags still on.
She opened a huge plastic container full of clothing for children. There was a cute cotton flowered print dress for a toddler and a black double breasted suit for a young boy, both still with price tags on them. This reporter picked up a perfectly good desk chair for only $5, much sturdier than the cheapest chairs sold at chain office supply stores.
All the proceeds from the shop go to aid victims of large or small disasters. A small local disaster could be someone losing their home and possessions in a fire. Blake said the policy of the Red Cross is to help those who are suffering, but not with used items. Those in need are given vouchers to use in local stores for new merchandise. “What comes in goes back out to the community,” Blake said.
Blake, who has been with the Red Cross for 35 years, said the store has been open and closed over the years. The shop reopened in 2000, after Blake heard from a young lady who said her family depended on the shop when she was growing up.
Most customers are looking for sheets, jeans and children’s clothes, Blake said. The shop carries clothing for men and women, dressy or casual. There are housewares, electronics, luggage and furniture.
Blake said they had a good day Friday, the first day of the sale, but Saturday was slow because people aren’t used to the Saturday hours. People are charged $10 for a 13 gallon plastic bag full of stuff and $20 for a large filled garbage bag.
Blake said they are always accepting good, clean, gently used, clothing and appliances in working order. But if donated items aren’t working, it is costly for the all-volunteer shop to have it removed or repaired, so they request only items in good shape. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For pickup of large items, call and ask for Larry Christian at 778-5104. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and during the sale Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The shop is located in the lower level of the Red Cross office across from Sunny Isle at 6035 Estate Castle Coakley.
