Recession or no, smart shoppers
choose Neighborhood Thrift Shop

Grosse Pointe City is rich with designer retail shops, salons and restaurants along Kercheval in the Village, but right around the corner sits a thrifty treasure chest of goods at the Neighborhood Club.  And current prices are even lower than usual.

The Neighborhood Thrift Shop has been receiving donated items for the last 60 years, including dishes, table linens, clothing for all ages, luggage, sporting goods, books, games, videos and artwork. Even an organ awaits a purchaser.

The club was founded by Marion Jarves Alger and a few friends in the early 1900s to help the area's needy residents. Now, the thrift store attracts between 50 to 80 people per week from all over the metro area, who come to snatch up items that include high-end designer names like Lilly Pulitzer, Coach, Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Chanel and Salvatore Ferragamo.

One recent shopper, Detroit Free Press “O Street” blogger and copy editor Oneita Jackson, found her outfit for the Charity Preview event at the North American Auto Show at the thrift shop. Her Diane von Furstenberg skirt cost her only $30, a buy that left her in awe. ”Thank you to the woman that left it there, it saved the night,” Jackson said, adding that the shop is “a place you visit when you want pieces to refresh your wardrobe.”

About 40 donations are received every week. These days, inventory is being marked down to prepare for the winter-season donation peak.

Everything in the store now is 75% off.

The summer season concludes Aug. 19. The shop reopens Sept. 7, the day after Labor Day. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The shop is located at 17150 Waterloo, between St. Clair and Neff, in Grosse Pointe. Call 313-885-0773.

• Login or register to post comments
• Printer-friendly version
• Send to friend