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Business & Tech

Business of the Week: Children's Home of Easton Thrift Store

Forks Township store offers bottom-dollar bargains while supporting a local charity.

In this economy, buying new isn’t always feasible, and that’s where this week’s featured business comes in. As stores are closing left and right, there’s still one category that’s thriving -- the thrift store.

Surprisingly spacious inside, the Children’s Home Thrift Store, located in the Town Center Plaza of Forks Township, sells just about anything that a department store would -- clothing for men, women and children; toys and games; housewares; furniture; books; movies, and a whole lot more, all at bargain prices.

“People come in to buy just about anything,” said Bonnie McIntyre, who has been the store’s manager for nearly eight years. “We sell a lot of clothing… college kids come in to get their furniture.”

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And the best part is, everything goes to a good cause. One-hundred  percent of all items sold goes to the Children’s Home of Easton, a non-profit organization that provides short- and long-term care, such as housing and social services, to children in need.

McIntyre recently started a new trend at the thrift store in the form of weekly specials. Every day of the week, the store cycles through a different sale. Sometimes clothing will be buy two, get one free, sometimes electronics or housewares will have special discounts.

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Usually, one day a week, all store items will be on sale, up to 50 percent off, which McIntyre says really gets people in the door.

“We’re kind of the best-kept secret in the area,” she said. “But people are starting to discover us.”

The store keeps an email list for anyone who would like to be notified of the upcoming sales, which run in two-week periods. To receive sale emails, just visit in-person and ask to sign up.

And it’s not just the Children’s Home that is benefiting from this store. Blankets and rugs that are donated but can’t be sold are, in turn, donated to animal shelters and rescue centers. Items are also donated to local fire companies that participate in flea markets to raise money. 

McIntyre and her staff have been making major changes to the store in the past months to make it a neater and more organized shopping environment. In fact, a customer who admitted he hadn’t been in there for about three months walked in and was shocked at the store’s new look. Shelves have been moved to accommodate wider walking paths, and clearer definitions have been made between departments.

“Wow, it’s so different,” he said to McIntyre. “You’ve been busy.” 

Children’s Home of Easton Thrift Store is at 312 Town Center Boulevard. The store is open Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 9am to 3pm. It is closed on Sunday. The store does not accept credit cards; it is cash or check only.

The thrift store accepts donations during all store hours. Items that are not deemed salable are usually then donated -- to churches, families in need or emergency relief efforts -- so no matter what you’re bringing in, you can be assured that it is going to a good cause.

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