Re-Designs Thrift Shoppe

Re-Designs Thrift Shoppe Re-Designs Thrift Shoppe

BYRAM — "The goal is to provide a service to the community for people to work, donate, shop and reuse," said manager Marianne Nechay of the new Re-Designs Thrift Shop on Route 206 North on the border of Byram and Stanhope. The grand opening of the shop this past weekend was a huge success. "Becoming a member of the community feels great" Nechay said. After a "soft opening" dress rehearsal in mid-May to work out the kinks, the shop was ready for a seamless, larger, grand opening this past Saturday.

Re-Designs is in a partnership with the Center for Humanistic Change (CHC), at the same location. CHC is a non-profit, human service organization licensed by the State of New Jersey that provides community residential and community employment services for adults with developmental disabilities in the northern New Jersey area. 

According to Nechay, the idea for a thrift shop came from the realization that there was no business of that type serving the nearby community. 

"With no other thrift store in the area, there was no place for people to drop off items that could be used by someone else, and there was no place for people to purchase gently used items at discounted prices," said Nechay. "Our inventory is definitely priced to sell. Most of our shoes have never been worn and our house wares are in good shape." 

The inventory ranges from clothing (casual, formal and outerwear) to house wares, seasonal decorations, jewelry and toys. "I often feel like the people on the show American Picker," said Nechay. "When we get donations we never know what we are going to find. It's very exciting." 

That excitement was contagious to Re-Designs' customers on Saturday.

Ann Brown, from Staten Island, was one of the shop's first customers. "I have a summer home in Panther Lake," said Brown. "I want this place to succeed. I love shopping here. I wish I could be here more often and especially on the days when the new merchandise is put out."

CHC began developing the concept and putting plans into place about a year and a half ago. Donations from the community were solicited and a fundraiser was held in the fall. Valley National Bank gave a significant donation to the project. 

"Becoming a member of the community and serving it at large was really important," said Nechay. Like most small businesses, Re-Designs has created jobs while meeting the needs of area residents. Suggestions from the community are always welcome as well as donations of merchandise. Coupons, special sale days and promotions keep the shopping interesting and the store a money-saving alternative to traditional retail sites.

Re-Designs is open Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is closed on Sunday.  Donations can be dropped off any day between the hours of 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. A tax receipt will be provided upon request.

For more information call Re-Designs at 973-691-0341.

From the Township Journal - June 27, 2012