A volunteer puts racks of women's clothing in order at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store of Dallas. (COURTNEY PERRY/The Dallas Morning News)
The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store of Dallas turns 5 on Saturday.
The store, at 3052 W. Northwest Highway, is planning a day of celebration, with live music, free food, activities for children, and big bargains for the first 50 shoppers: 50 percent off all of their purchases.
The store will be open from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
As Jeff Weiss wrote when the store opened, its Catholic founders always envisioned it as much more than just a thrift shop. It’s tried to become a central gathering place for the largely Hispanic neighborhood around it, offering, in addition to affordable merchandise, adult education classes such as English instruction and tips on how to earn a G.E.D.; child-enrichment programs, including after-school tutoring; and aid to the needy. The proceeds from sales of merchandise help the local St. Vincent de Paul Society provide food, clothing, rent, utilities, transportation, medicine and other assistance.
(I can’t find Jeff’s story online anywhere, so I’ve reprinted it in full, from our electronic library after the jump.)
Perhaps because it’s located just a few miles from Bluffview and Preston Hollow, the store attracts some extraordinary donated items. It’s not unusual to find clothes there with Neiman-Marcus labels, designer brand women’s handbags, men’s ties that originally cost $100 or more, high-end home furnishings, and more.
And if you get there early enough this morning, it’s all half off.