The Church of the Redeemer Episcopal Thrift House is operated by the Women’s Outreach Ministry of the Church of the Redeemer. The store is staffed and managed by a team of volunteers, mostly from the Church of the Redeemer, but also includes a contingent of caring community volunteers, who donate their time and energy to benefit Sarasota’s needy. The Thrift House is currently co-managed by Barbara Dubitsky, Melinda Sutter and Melliss Swenson.

The Thrift House is conveniently located at 1503 Second Street, in downtown Sarasota at the corner of Lemon and Second Streets, situated just across from the bus station and Whole Foods Market. The Thrift House has been at its current location for eight years, but has been serving the Sarasota community as far back as the early 1950s. Previous locations included space in the Little Five Points area and also a long stint behind the Gator Bar just off Main Street.

Items for sale at the Thrift House include costume jewelry, books, picture frames, collectibles, china, housewares, and clothing. Small pieces of furniture are frequently available. Nearly all of the items found at the store have been donated by Redeemer parishioners, with additional items coming from store volunteers and family and friends throughout the community.

The bulk of all profits made from sales at the Episcopal Thrift House go directly to local Sarasota charities, with smaller, but significant amounts going to national and even international relief organizations and efforts.

During cold weather, the House has a tradition of gathering up whatever blankets and warm clothing might be about the store and leaving them outside at the back of the building for people in need. The items are always gone the next morning when store volunteers arrive to open the store.

Every year the store has a “Bag Sale” where anything buyers can fit in a standard size grocery bag is theirs a set amount. The annual Bag Sale is always a popular event.

The Thrift House is generally open all year round, with a two-week closing typically in late August to refurbish and restock the store. Customary hours for the Episcopal Thrift House are Monday through Friday 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday 10 am to 1 pm. Public parking is close by, and there is parking available in front of and behind the store, and along Second Street.

The Thrift House is always in need of volunteers to help in the shop – particularly during the summer when managers lose their “snowbird” volunteers. If you’d like to help out at this very worthy shop – which does so much for so many – just contact one of the managers at the Thrift House at 941.365.1519, or call the Church of the Redeemer office at 941.955.4263.