On Feb. 26, Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, representatives from the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and more than 50 other guests attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony and preview party to celebrate the re-opening of the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore’s Thrift House store, 920 Chicago Ave.
Founded in 1940, the Thrift House — which sells gently used women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, housewares and home décor – is the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore’s main source of revenue. The store raises about $25,000 per year, which helps fund college scholarships for local high school students, community grants, and programs that support local battered women’s shelters, low-income women and more.
“We are so thrilled to unveil the new store to the public,” said Anna Pappas, president of the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore.
Mayor Tisdahl praised the Junior League for its long-time commitment to service in the community. “The Junior League of Evanston-North Shore has been a pillar in Evanston for more than 90 years, and it’s wonderful to see this organization continue to provide such needed support to our community,” she said.
In addition to revamping the store’s layout and decor, the Junior League also recently created a new program where women looking for a career in retail are invited to work in the store as a way of gaining valuable experience that they can use to help them find meaningful work.
The non-profit has been involved in many programs in the community, such as the first Infant Welfare Clinic (1930-1941), running a dental dispensary (1931-1952), operating the Child Care Center of Evanston (1970-1975), and more.
Throughout its history, the Thrift House has also provided needed clothes to other non-profits, such as Connections for the Homeless and the Vineyard Christian Church of Evanston’s Clothes Closet, as well as provided vouchers for clothes and accessories to clients of Mary Lou’s Place, a domestic violence shelter; Have Dreams, a non-profit for children and adults with Autism; and to low-income pregnant women through the Junior League’s own Baby Steps program.
The Thrift House accepts new or gently used clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, small furniture, home décor, housewares and books. Donations are accepted at the store during regular business hours or at the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore’s office at 620 Lincoln Ave., suite 209, in Winnetka, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.