Malverne church opens thrift store

Malverne Bible Church Pastor Tom Carpino and his wife, Kathy, opened a thrift store inside the Franklin Avenue church last month after seeing a need for one in the community.

“We did feel that because of what’s going on in our country — the recession, a lot of people out of work — we thought it would be a great idea to try to help people meet some needs, practical ones,” Carpino said.

What makes the Branches of Hope thrift store different, Carpino added, is that it’s “akin to a boutique” in that it offers new and nearly new items at thrift-store prices. Additionally, he said, the endeavor is two-fold: “’[P]eople who have needs can come in and buy some things and we could bless them, and they could bless us by giving us the donation that helps the church.”

Opening the thrift store has also brought attention to the church. “It’s amazing how many people did not know we existed, even though we’ve been here since 1950,” Carpino said. More people began coming around when the church started offering Zumba classes earlier this year. But the thrift store is another draw for area residents and those passing through the village. Carpino said he also plans to open and nursery and day care center at the church in the near future.

“We’re trying to be more community minded,” he said, “and meet the needs of the community.”

The effort seems to be working, because the church has gotten good responses, according to Carpino. Not only are people coming to check out the shop, but many people are also donating items to be sold at the thrift store. “People don’t want to get rid of things — to just throw them in a bag and give them somewhere,” Carpino said. “They like to know it’s going to something that they feel is worthwhile.”

The shop offers a variety of items, from clothing to toys to books and various household items. It is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will also be open on Saturdays, July 30 and Aug. 27.