My Sister’s Place & My Sister’s Attic, at 379 Main St. in Ansonia, is a thrift store that has been a staple in downtown Ansonia for almost 25 years.
Birmingham Group Health Service runs the shop to raise funds for The Umbrella program, which provides domestic violence services to people in the Valley.
Arlene Greco, director of development for Birmingham, and and Nancy Cahoon, manager of My Sister’s Place, recently spoke with Valley Independent Sentinel about the store, eBay and the services provided by The Umbrella program.
Valley Indy: How much do you bring in a year for the Umbrella Program selling items?
Arlene Greco: We bring in $150,000 net after all our expenses. When you shop here you are not just shopping: You are also helping a great cause. We couldn’t do it without both the donors and the customers who shop here.
Valley Indy: What do you have in here?
Nancy Cahoon: A lot of house ware items, books, jewelery.
Valley Indy: Anything unusual?
Cahoon: Well, every day for customers, it is fun for them to come in and see what treasures they can find.
Greco: The donors decide what comes in.
Cahoon: Where else can you get a Louie Armstrong record?
Valley Indy: Or even a record player at that. What items do you look for from donors?
Greco: Good jewelry. Costume jewelry and even costumes to sell for Halloween.
Valley Indy: Are there other ways you make money for The Umbrella program?
Greco: We do eBay. Our better unique antique and higher quality stuff goes on eBay. (Click here to view a listing of the items for sale.)
Cahoon: We have sold over $5,000 worth of items on eBay.
Greco: When people think thrift store, they think junk. But we don’t put junk out.
Cahoon: It’s a fine line between junk and thrift store items. Thrift stores get a bad rap. People think it’s junk, dirty or stained. That’s why I love my volunteers who help me sort through stuff. We even did a customer survey to find out what they don’t like about a thrift store.
Valley Indy: What don’t customers like?
Cahoon: Mildew or smell of smoke on items.
Valley Indy: A few months ago I saw a couple of wedding gowns in here? Did you sell them?
Cahoon: Yup.
Valley Indy: Anything else you want to say about “My Sister’s Place”?
Greco: Just that all the services provided by The Umbrella cost nothing. They are free and confidential. It’s amazing when we go out to speak about the Umbrella program how many people talk about how Umbrella has helped them.
Cahoon: And, when people shop here, they say the same thing.
My Sister’s Place & My Sister’s Attic is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call 203-734-2960, visit the store’s website or visit them on Facebook.
