CHICOPEE — On the morning of Jan. 9, I visited Precious Treasury Thrift Store with a couple of bucks in hand to browse the store for its offerings.
The thrift store located at 924 Chicopee St. was celebrating its grand opening that day. According to a statement issued by Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, the store is “a testament to resilience, faith, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.”
I saw thrifting as a resource for folks trying to stretch their budgets or a hobby for fashionistas in their 20s. It wasn’t a practice I was personally interested in picking up, but at the suggestion from one of my editors, I decided to take a look.
During my visit Tuesday morning, scrolling through the donated CDs and sorting through the shirts, books and kitchen supplies, I discovered a 600-square-foot storefront with an almost overwhelming variety of items that I believe can be repurposed if placed in the right hands. A cookbook, for instance, with over 600 recipes and originally $32.95, was for sale for only $2.50. Where else can you score that kind of deal?
At the end of my visit, I can say that I made out like a bandit, all for $8.
My purchases included a $1 miniature owl jar, a 50-cent candle holder, the $2.50 cookbook, a $3 shirt, and singer Alicia Keys’ debut album “Songs in A Minor” for $1.
What makes the purchases even better is knowing that those $8 will go towards a good cause.
Aside from paying rent, Ivelisse Gonzalez, the manager of Precious Treasury Thrift Store, will use the money she collects to donate to missions for children in Christian education in Uganda, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
The sales will cover shipping expenses, purchasing Bibles, school supplies, toys, first aid supplies. The store also plans to support some churches.
Gonzalez hopes to eventually turn her store into a nonprofit organization, collect donations from the public, and mail groceries, school supplies, clothing to these missions.
A faith-based business owner, Gonzalez has a background as an experienced Christian missionary from the Dominican Republic and hopes to leave a lasting impression on each of her customers.
“I’m excited about the word of Christ,” she said. “Following what he asked us to do, to help the poor and at the same time, educate and evangelize people, let them know that is teaching the love of Jesus by doing.”
As I left, I even received a free bag to carry my items in. I left feeling like my money was well spent, and I was a valued customer.
