National Thrift Store Day and a 20th Anniversary Make for a Week of Great Shopping at The Sharing Place, East Harlem

The shopping stars align this month as The Sharing Place Thrift Store celebrates its 20th Anniversary on August 12th and recognizes National Thrift Store Day on August 17th. Intrepid shoppers have discovered designer labels like Carolina Herrera, Betsy Johnson, Coach, and Manolo Blahnik among other treasures on the store racks.

In 2012, New York Post readers voted The Sharing Place the Best Thrift Store in New York City. All sales support programs at the Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service (LSA), located on East 115th Street in Manhattan, off First Avenue.

Emergency relief

Besides being a favorite shopping destination for high-quality low-cost goods in the community, the store also provides free emergency goods to people in urgent need in area codes 10029 and 10035.

“We give out free vouchers to The Sharing Place when someone has an urgent need for clothing or household goods,” said Lucia Russett, Director of the Advocacy program.  Vouchers are given upon referral by a social worker or case worker.  There are many reasons why someone may receive a voucher:  they may be living in a shelter with few personal belongings, need appropriate clothing for a work program, have suffered job loss or a fire in their apartment, or just be newly arrived to the neighborhood.  In all cases, the customer has financial hardship.  With the thrift store’s modest prices, the vouchers go a long way.

In 2014, when a building in East Harlem collapsed due to a gas explosion, LSA was able to receive and provide clothing and other household supplies to displaced residents with the help of The Sharing Place.

Designer treasures 

The store celebrates its 20th Anniversary on August 12th with one of its “Designer” sales: a curated selection of the store’s best items.  Shoppers will also enjoy free giveaways and refreshments.  The celebration continues on August 17th, National Thrift Shop Day, with additional discounts to the store’s regular weekly sales.

“You can find great deals here,” said Diamond, a regular Sharing Place shopper, as she tried on a blue silk jacket by Lorraine Parrish.

The Sharing Place accepts donations of new and gently used clothing and home goods in good condition.  To schedule a free donation pick-up or to learn more, visit the store website:  thesharingplacenyc.com.

Visit The Sharing Place on Instagram:  @thesharingplace.

Read Catholic New York’s story on The Sharing Place’s 2nd anniversary in 1999: Gathering Spot: Little Sisters’ East Harlem thrift shop is a place of good prices, good will.

Press contact:  Asari Beale, 646-672-5200