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| Shopping at a thrift store for a hidden treasure provides a special thrill for many women. Whether you are looking for that perfect picture frame, a charming antique, or a handcrafted quilt, the pure excitement can make any secondhand object feel like it is brand-new. Marian Schwabbaun, a dedicated volunteer at the Crowded Closet, says this thrill is one reason why she loves her job at the thrift store. “It is always fun to help customers find something that is perfect for them, something that they didn’t know existed,” she shares. Soothing instrumental music was playing in the background during my visit as Marian sorted through donated items, which included a rocking horse, a history book, an antique clock, and a multitude of children’s games. I noticed that the environment at Crowded Closet was friendly as the volunteers talked and laughed together. “Going through the donations is my favorite part. You never know what hidden gems you will find,” she says. Marian says that she considers it a privilege to be able to preserve an item that is valuable to someone else. Volunteers such as Marian devote their time and effort to care for the donations made to the Crowded Closet. All proceeds from these donations go to the Mennonite Central Committee, which is a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches. Crowded Closet Manager Betsy Slabaugh explains that donations and money spent at the Crowded Closet support needy people locally and in other countries. Betsy shares that the shop’s mission is to demonstrate “Christ’s love in action: changing lives locally and around the world.” The goal of the Mennonite Central Committee is to help with disaster relief, sustainable community development, and justice and peace building, Betsy explains. In the past, proceeds have been donated to causes such as for earthquake relief in Japan. The Crowded Closet thrift shop has been a part of the Mennonite Central Committee network for over 30 years. While it is only one of 108 shops throughout North America that is run by the committee of churches, the Crowded Closet name is specific to the Iowa City location. Some of the donated items that can be found at the 1213 Gilbert Court location in Iowa City include gently used clothing for the entire family, household items, furniture, books, records, fabric, and more. The shop even has a specialty section that includes antiques and collectible items. Betsy considers the linen department to be one of the shop’s main attractions. She says customers enjoy discovering unique yarn, ribbon, and fabric, and they especially enjoy finding new items to choose from on a regular basis. Betsy explains that each donation is carefully sorted, inspected, priced, and processed before it is available for sale. “We’re grateful for all the donations that come through the door,” says Betsy. Around 200 to 250 volunteers dedicate their time to the Crowded Closet to make sure the donated items find new homes, she adds. Assistant Manager Karen Schrock says that she gets excited about the displays and seeing the variety of items that come through the store. Karen explains that while most of the items are placed throughout the store on the retail floor, the more expensive finds are sold on eBay. Recently, the Crowded Closet sold a rare 1893 baseball history book on eBay for $613.33. Catherine Clader is a loyal customer at the Crowded Closet. She says, “I love to come here, and I know I am not the only one.” Catherine shops at the Crowded Closet almost daily. She says she enjoys discovering handmade items such as woodwork and doilies, which take a lot of time and energy to make. “I like to find stuff that is created with so much love and care,” she says. “Plus, it’s nice to know that it all goes to a great cause.” Karen says that regular shoppers like Catherine are common at the Crowded Closet. She points out that customers and volunteers often know each other by name. Because the environment is like a close-knit community, she compares a stop at the Crowded Closet to getting a cup of coffee at a local diner. “The relationships we have with the volunteers and the customers are what keep people coming back,” she says. The variety of items, which changes on a daily basis, attracts customers of all ages. There is even a section of the store dedicated to Iowa Hawkeye gear, which is popular for college students, Karen says. Right next to the Hawk Shop is a holiday décor section, which is full of festive wreaths and an assortment of Christmas decorations. Maneuver past the shoe racks and silent auction area toward the front of the store and you will find the International Gift Shoppe, which is also a favorite among customers because it carries unique items made in third-world countries. A purchase from this shop ensures that the crafter is paid a fair wage for his or her work, Karen points out. Betsy and Karen acknowledge that the success of the Crowded Closet depends on the dedication and hard work provided by the volunteers. Recruiting, orientating, and training the volunteers is one of the aspects that makes her job fun, says Karen. “I am always amazed at how much they commit and how much they go out of their way to help out other volunteers,” she shares. Karen describes a scenario in which one volunteer encountered a death in his family. Without hesitation, fellow staff members rearranged their work schedules in order to relieve their friend of his volunteer shifts. Karen says it is the willingness from the volunteers to help one another that makes the Crowded Closet a unique thrift store. The staff members at the Crowded Closet say they always welcome new faces. Their hope is to express their Christian faith “by offering a friendly, caring presence in the community, and by providing opportunities for volunteers to give their time and talents,” says Betsy. For more information, call the Crowded Closet at 319-337-5924. Or you can visit the Iowa City location during regular business hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. You can also read their seasonal newsletters on the Web site at crowdedcloset.mennonite.net. |
The Crowded Closet |
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