In 1912, Mary Garretson opened a thrift store to provide affordable clothing in Winnetka as part of the Clothing Sales Committee of the Relief & Aid Society. The shop also provided an outlet for charitable donations that could di- rectly benefit neighbors in need.
More than a century (and a few moves) later, the shop continues to serve multiple needs in
the Winnetka community—most recently with an upscale twist.
Offering high-end clothing, accessories, housewares, and home furnishings, the shop was trans- formed seven years ago when Jenifer Hoffman, a former visual merchandising manager at the Gap, came on board.
Hoffman, who was recently named Winnetka’s 2019 Business Woman of the Year, is credited for much of the Winnetka Thrift Shop’s recent success and an ongoing commitment to “re-purpose with a purpose.”
With the help of a small staff of merchandisers and numerous volunteers, the store has become a paradise for bargain shoppers and treasure hunters alike—with proceeds exclusively benefiting and supporting the Counseling Center of the North Shore, a private nonprofit mental health center located in Winnetka.
Starting on Friday, November 1, the Winnetka Thrift Shop staff invites the community to stop by for its annual holiday spectacular. Doors open at 10 a.m. as the “Best of the Best” merchandise will fill the floor and the shop will be bursting with holiday sparkle.
We can’t think of a more “purposeful” way to kick off the holiday shopping season.
The Winnetka Thrift Shop, located at 992 Green Bay Road in Winnetka, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 847-446-7787 or visit winnetkathriftshop.org.
