Thrift Store offers wealth of Halloween clothing
The Isabella County Child Development Thrift Store, 1225 N. Mission St., in the Secretary of State Plaza is a gold mine for unique Halloween costumes and everyday clothing.
Tom Moffit, bookkeeper and assistant manager of the Thrift Store, said fall is the busiest time because of the amount of people who come in searching for special costumes. Halloween shoppers are able to find costumes in a special section where a volunteer sets aside any unique items.
Other than selling Halloween costumes, the Thrift Store has a large amount of clothing and some household items, he said. Ladies' and men's clothing are all sold at an average price of only $3. Child and baby sizes are priced even lower, starting at $.25.
"We sell more women's clothes than anything. Blouses, skirts and jeans are always very popular. And anyone with a baby can get outfitted at a very low price," Moffit said.
All profits from the Thrift Store stay in Mount Pleasant and support Isabella County Child Development. This is unlike other thrift stores such as Goodwill Industries, 1313 S. Mission St., and The Salvation Army Thrift Shop, 706 W. Pickard St., whose profits may only partially benefit the community directly, he said.
For 30 years, the Isabella County Child Development has run a preschool for three- and four-year-olds from economically challenged families, Moffit said.
"We are very pleased and proud that we've been able to do that," he said.
Moffit said he considers the school one of the better preschools in town. Two teachers currently instruct 18 four-year-olds and 15 three-year-olds, Moffit said.
The Thrift Store has been able to provide the service to the Mount Pleasant community because of the large volunteer base and charitable donations from the community. The shop is run by volunteers who sort, organize and price all of the clothing, Moffit said.
"We have these marvelous people in town who supply us with used clothing," Moffit said.
The Thrift Store also attracts out-of-town shoppers who come in search of costume items and clothing.
"The quality is good and the price is right. A lot of out-of-town people shop in Mount Pleasant because they don't have the same options where they're from," Moffit said.
The Thrift Store currently has a lot of stock just waiting to be bought, Moffit said.
"We have limited space, so we have to turn things over quickly," Moffit said.
Items the Thrift Store does not sell are donated to two area churches who turn it over to underprivileged families, Moffit said.
The CMU Mortarboard Senior Honor Society runs the store on Saturdays. Michelle Balwinski, Bay City senior, has worked two weekends at the Thrift Store.
"It's been great. I really like it because it serves a dual purpose. People get clothes for a low price and all of the proceeds help the Isabella County Child Development Center," Balwinski said.
The 30-member group will rotate volunteers throughout fall and spring semesters. Mortarboard volunteers must go through a short training session to learn how to run the store and assist customers in clothing and costume choices, Balwinski said.
"They have a big selection of stuff (appropriate for costumes). It is a lot of fun finding what would look best," Balwinski said.
It pleases Moffit to see students to be actively involved in the store.
"We certainly do appreciate the help we get from students and the business we get from them," Moffit said.
The Thrift Store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
