NEILBURG – The Village Green Thrift Shop will be celebrating its first anniversary this coming May.
What started as an idea between mother and daughter, became a reality for a small group of women. Cathy Ducherer, along with four others, set out to create an outlet in the village where gently used items could be donated and purchased. The volunteer group consists of Sharon Sawtell, Bonna Irving, Cathy Dueck, Brenda Ryall and Ducherer.
“The Catholic church had just closed its doors to Sunday services and with a building with no water or sewer, they were looking for a way to dispose of the property,” said Ducherer. The building was donated to the Village of Neilburg, which has graciously allowed the location to become a little thrift shop.
With the village of Neilburg being a close-knit community, donations poured into the doors, to the point where many items must be stored and sorted in the Community Hall basement. At first, the thrift shop would take almost anything. With the overwhelming number of items, the ladies quickly had to limit some items from coming in the doors. Items with an expiration date such as car seats and helmets, are not accepted. Some large items may be accepted upon the approval of the group.
The best sellers for the thrift shop are toys, small household kitchen appliances, blankets, jigsaw puzzles and clothing. There has been the odd time an item no one recognizes comes through the doors, where Google or a younger kid is needed to help them figure out the mystery item.
“We do get a lot of clothing [by donation]. Especially ladies and baby clothes, but we do sell a lot of it,” said Ducherer.
Items are priced reasonably according to Ducherer, saying the thrift shop wants to make people feel like they are getting a great deal while shopping.
“All money that we make is given back to the community in various ways. We have helped a few families during difficult times over the year. We gave $25 gift cards to the families who received community Christmas hampers and gift certificates to the 2023 graduating class. We plan to distribute more of our earning at our first-year anniversary in May,” added Ducherer.
Ducherer and her cohorts are pleased and appreciative of all the support they have received from the community of Neilburg and the surrounding towns. The Village Green Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 – 7 p.m. with the occasional Saturday when other activities are going on in the community.
