Ode to a Thrift Store

Good Night Irene.........

            So it may be no irony that this Holy Week I have found myself saying good bye to a dream, big idea, a hope, a wish or at its most basic level, maybe just a want.  We will be closing The Friends of Richmond Thrift Store in a few months.  After one year, it has proven to be more work than a few volunteers can do and financially we cannot afford local rent.     

            The interesting fact about the timing is that while I am preaching about Peter having to confront who he is while on the street with everyone watching, there has been talk by some that the store would have done better on a side street.  Maybe it was too difficult for people to come in because of what that might say about them.  

            Let me share what it said:

•  If you came in to donate clothing that was like new, sometimes with tags still on, with the clothes washed and folded---it said you cared and had no judgment about who was going to wear it next, and that you respected the volunteers sorting the clothes.

•  If you were a volunteer it said that where some saw a junk store you saw hope, possibility, and a chance to make a difference. 

•  If you were one of our customers it said you were smart!  It said you were wise enough to see opportunity, to not only treat yourself to a deal but to help your neighbor as the purchases were to assist the food pantry and fuel fund.

I have learned so much from this experience and created relationships with people I would have never met.  I have seen people who have very little according to the 21st Century's standards, give beyond measure.

I am not going to lie, just like any place there are always those wanting to trip up their brother or sister, those who have axes to grind or delight in failure, and I want to make it clear -------our closing does not mean we failed--we won!  We kept a shop open 4 days a week for a whole year with volunteers alone---no pay!  We had so many donations that we needed to add rack after rack. 

           

            When I stood with a friend and we imagined neighbors helping neighbors we had no idea where it would land us.  The shop may close but the volunteers will remain, those willing to give their time and energy will do so again.

What we shared in that space was more than sales, we shared relationships, we shared stories and once we have connected without neighbor in that way we can no longer turn our back on them.  

"Here we are all in one place

The wants and wounds of the human race

Despair and hope sit face to face

When you come in from the cold"-------Carrie Newcomer (Betty's Diner)

It is bittersweet this parting and has made for a heavy heart this Holy Week; sharing this news and telling our volunteers.  However I do know this---We shook the status quo up, we made people think, some were angry (Really? Yes really), some grateful and some were inspired. 

The people I have come to know are amazing, this is not the end of our story ....it may actually be only our beginning.  And so back to the beginning, it may be no irony that I am dealing with this during Holy Week....after all Easter is right around the corner.