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Eatontown, NJ, February 20, 2009 — Industrywide, three-quarters of thrift and resale shops saw an increase in sales last quarter compared to the previous year, according to a recent report from iStockAnalyst — a virtual community of financial bloggers, investment advisors and money managers.
According to data from members of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, almost 90 percent of thrift shops such as Monmouth Medical Center's Once Again Thrift Boutique also noted an increase in new customers during that timeframe.
"With the continuing economic downturn, most of us are looking for ways to save money," says Rosemarie Yalden, CFRE, interim vice president of development for Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, which opened the Once Again Thrift Boutique in Eatontown in 2008. "And the best-kept secret for money-conscious individuals is thrift store shopping. With a keen eye and a little help from our attentive sales staff, you can find a host of treasures at our thrift shop."
Thrift shopping also underscores new attitudes toward frugality and recycling, according to the Wall Street Journal Digital Network's MarketWatch, which notes that the recycling movement to "go green" has customers talking and blogging a lot about thrift shopping.
At Once Again Thrift Boutique, customers enjoy browsing a wide assortment of recycled high-end clothing and accessories, housewares, toys, books and more — in excellent condition and at a fraction of their original cost. The shop offers customers the variety of a small department store in a boutique-type atmosphere.
"Once Again Thrift Boutique operates strictly on donations, which often include new items with the tags and original prices intact," Yalden says. “We really value the support of community members who donate their items to our thrift store, and we appreciate the dedication and commitment of volunteers who give freely of their time to help us ensure that Monmouth Medical Center remains the region’s premiere health care facility.”
All proceeds of the thrift boutique, located at 152 Main Street in Eatontown, support programs and services at the medical center. Hours are Monday and Tuesday from 10 am. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are accepted on Thursdays.
Special promotions at the thrift shop include the winter clothes clearance currently underway, according to Tiffany Cioffi, manager of retail operations for the foundation.
“We are marking down all men's and women's and select baby and children's clothing every week, as transitional clothing is arriving and spring merchandise will be out shortly,” says Cioffi, who notes that on June 12, the shop will mark its one-year anniversary with a "Chic Boutique" luncheon and fashion show at Branches in West Long Branch.
For more information on making donations or volunteering at Once Again Thrift Boutique, or to receive an invitation to the Chic Boutique Fashion Show, call Monmouth Medical Center Foundation at
732-923-6886.
Date: February 20, 2009
CONTACT: Kristine A. Brown
Director of Public Relations
732-557-3902
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