Community Corner
What Can You Buy in the "Lord's Attic?"
The Lord's Attic thrift store provides a low-income community with quality affordable items.
If anyone can organize your clutter it would be the women who run the Lord’s Attic, a thrift store run by Peekskill Presbyterian Church volunteers.
When entering the “Lord’s Attic” for the first time customers are usually pleasantly surprised and let out an appreciative “oh, wow,” said Manager Charlene Woods.
The thrift store is warmly lit and while thousands of items – kitchenware, clothing, toys, jewelry, holiday items, knick-knacks and much, much more – are displayed throughout the store, everything is well organized and in good condition. The presentation and quality of the affordable items makes the “Lord’s Attic” a go-to spot for low-income families in the Peekskill community, but those interested in unique vintage items are likely to make a good find there as well.
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“It provides a place that people in the community need,” Woods said. “The people who can’t afford Kohls or even Walmart can come here.”
The Lord’s Attic receives donations almost every day and probably raises about $14,000 a year, according to Woods estimation. The money goes to the church and towards community outreach efforts. They only accept donations in good condition, so you won’t find stained or ripped items in the store.
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The items are very cheap – regular clothes are a dollar or two; jackets are typically $5-10 dollars. Even valuable vintage items that may be worth more on Ebay are discounted down to an affordable price.
On a typical day about 15-20 customers come in to buy mostly clothes, children’s toys and kitchenware. Woods said that most customers are Hispanic and that there has been a recent increase in migrant workers who are taking advantage of the shop.
“They come in looking for clothes to wear for the day,” Woods said of the men who stand on the corner of South and Washington streets in the morning looking for work.
While struggling families take best advantage of the Lord’s Attic, the store does offer items for those interested in finding something unique and at a discounted price. Several pieces of beautiful jewelry, appraised by Arthur Week’s Jewelers and priced much lower than their appraisals, are displayed when you first walk through the door.
The Thrift Store opened eight years ago in an old apartment that is owned by the Church. In addition to Woods, who manages the store, the current volunteers are: Hilda Arturi, Philena Bolden, Linda Buckiewicz, Ann Calam, Nancy and Don Horton,Brenda Matinez, Leonor Mancebo, Faye Meneses, Barbara Montero, Carol Robinson, Denise Simon, Vera Sokol, Jean Valente, Tina Wileikis, Charlene Woods.
It is located at 705 South Street and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items for donation can be brought to the store during operating hours. For more information call 845-538-2669.
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