Manager Ruth Ann Moody snipped the red ribbon and made Threads of Hope’s new home official.
The onset of COVID-19 and the cabin fever that came with it increased peoples’ urge to spring clean, and Threads of Hope, a thrift store run by the Hope Fellowship Church, suddenly had more donations than they knew what to do with.
Threads of Hope is a charity ministry run by the church that sells used clothing, with a storefront in the Monadnock Plaza in Jaffrey. Most items in the store are priced at only a few dollars, with the revenue going back into running the store. Moody said that they were literally running out of space to put donated clothing.
“Some other area thrift stores closed, and some, like the Salvation Army and Goodwill, were limiting the items they were taking,” Moody said. “We were packed. It just exploded. We look at that as one positive outcome of COVID-19.”
On Tuesday, the church was able to cut the ribbon on their new location, still located within the Monadnock Plaza, but in a space twice the size.
The new space means some practical benefits – an extra changing room, room to add specific sections such as for formalwear, more space to hang clothing rather than have them folded on shelves, and just an overall less crowded shopping experience, Moody said. It also allows the store to put out more of its donations at one time, helping to move out donations at a quicker pace.
“There’s just so much potential,” Moody said.
Threads of Hope began as a community ministry seven years ago. Originally, Moody said, the store was really aimed at being a resource for children and mothers, but has since evolved into a true community resource. While the clothing isn’t free, the majority of the store contains items that only cost $1, and their “boutique” sections are only a few dollars more.
“This is not a fundraising venture,” Moody said. “We’re here, using our resources to help.”
The community has rallied behind that concept, and the store has thrived, Moody said. Many people like that their donations are staying within the community where they live. And when they had to move, being able to stay in the same general location of the plaza, where their customer base knows them, while moving to a bigger space, seemed to be the best of both worlds.
Moody said the store is designed for everyone in the community – those that really need the affordable clothing, or those that just like to thrift shop.
“This is really something we’re doing for the community. Every dollar you don’t have to spend on the necessity of clothing can go to other necessities like food, gas, or the other necessities of life,” Moody said. “No one ever needs to feel like this store isn’t for them. It’s for the community.”
The bigger, better space only helps with that mission.
The new space formerly held a liquor store, and hadn’t been updated in many years. Before Threads of Hope took up residence, it underwent a renovation, and when the shop officially reopened on Tuesday, it was to new carpeting, new paint, reframed walls and new decorations.
“Everything is new or freshened. There’s not an inch of this store that hasn’t been touched,” Moody said.
Threads of Hope is located in the Monadnock Plaza in Jaffrey, located at 80 Peterborough Street. The store accepts clean, resale quality clothing and wearable accessories, as well as the occasional small toys. They do not accept housewear or bedding. Donations can be dropped off at the store during any store hours with no appointment necessary.