Tradition of Christmas boutique at Glen Cove thrift store

When St. Patrick’s Church in Glen Cove held its annual spring Country Fair in 1976, the then Rev. Fr. Healy was impressed with how popular used clothing was at a section of the Parish Hall that was designated as the “Cobweb Corner.”

Grace Mahan, Marge Leach, Pat Martinez, Mary Glynn and Helen Willenbacher, the founders of the shop, were asked if they would consider starting a thrift store for the church. They said “yes.”

Today that thrift store, St. Patrick’s Thrift Shop still remains a popular destination to buy and donate used clothing, house wares, jewelry and other second-hand items. Especially at this time of year, the shop is known for its Holiday Boutique, a decades old tradition where customers can find Christmas decorations, ornaments and gifts.

“We have the best thrift shop anywhere and very dedicated workers and friendships,” said Willenbacher, 93. “I’m very proud.”

Willenbacher, who is currently homebound to stay safe from the pandemic, said she is equally proud of this year’ Christmas Boutique.  “They work very hard,” she said. “I miss them. But I do homework so I still feel a part of it.”

Part of her “homework,” is to price items like stuffed animals and to fluff up pillows to be sold at the thrift store in her dryer. But when Willenbacher was at the shop, volunteer Amy Solomito said, she’d often be lifting boxes, among other tasks that needed to get done that day. She called working at the shop her therapy.

The thrift shop has substantially supported the parish financially over its years of operation, the Rev. Gabriel Rach of St. Patrick’s Church. 

Not only does the thrift store help raise funds for the church, it also helps the community surrounding the church. St. Patrick’s Church Thrift Shop cooperates with the church’s food pantry.

Theresa Nielsen, a volunteer at the thrift shop, said she’s seen many changes at the shop over the approximately 20 years she’s been there, including a renovation of the store’s layout. “The one thing that remains the same is that we try to minister to the people who need a place like the thrift shop but we also get people who run the gambit of collecting things and looking for unusual things,” Nielsen said. “It’s evolved in that the times, especially now, people are really needing a place where they can shop for clothing and other usual odds and ends.”

And all the clothing is marked at a reasonable price, Willenbacher said, with blouses, men’s shirts and pants marked at around $3 if it is not new.

Nielsen, who was involved with ministerial programs in the church over 20 years ago, used to shop at the store too. “I asked about volunteering,” she said, “and what appealed to me was that if I couldn’t come in one particular day, or if I had to leave early or come in late, that was okay.”

There’s a comradery between the women who work at the shop, Nielsen said.

“We all just talk around the table as we’re doing our work and we share our ideas and thoughts,” Nielsen said. “We learn about our families and who is in need of something or other, whether it’s prayers or a card when someone’s out sick.”

What sets St. Patrick’s Church of Glen Cove’s Thrift Shop apart, Willenbacher said, is that along with affordable items, lifelong friendships can also be found.

“We had fun,” Willenbacher said. “We used to sing. They’re all like my family. They all call me and it’s wonderful. I’ve made wonderful friends. All of us. [Nielsen] is like my adopted daughter.”