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Circle Thrift

PHILADELPHIA-- Between the racks of Circle Thrift’s gently used sweaters, scarves, and suits still hanging with structured dignity, are fibers made of more than just polyester and cotton blends. Instead, they are the tiny, lasting, threads of hope for many looking to make ends meet in Fishtown.

As an arm of the Circle of Hope Brethren in Christ Church and in coordination with the Mennonite Central Committee, Circle Thrift is among several agencies throughout the Philadelphia area looking to do more than simply, spread the word of God, but to generate and support opportunities designed as noted in their mission statement to, “Bring hope and relief to the challenges of 21^st century urban life.” Although locally based, the affects of this organization are felt far beyond the confines of this city. Funds generated by Circle Thrift are collected and used to supply medical aid, disaster relief, and community development projects in war-torn and devastated countries at their greatest time of need. Countries such as, Myanmar, a region reported to receive up to as much as $500,000 in MCC aid as a result of last spring’s cyclone, and others including, Uganda, and North Korea.

Similarly, Circle Thrift’s community outreach programs, job creations, and inexpensive clothing in neighborhoods like, Fishtown and Kensington, are what make this venture a precious asset to citizens of the world and Philadelphia, alike.

Amanda Staples, a Circle Thrift employee who has been with the organization for over year, spending most of her time as a volunteer says, “Some people come in here everyday, and they use it for all their clothes shopping. It’s hard out there right now for a lot of people to afford new clothes.”

While the economy continues to wane, and temperatures begin to drop, many people are beginning to feel the pressures of buying new clothing for the winter season. “Because heating costs are going up, and even things like paying more for gas, people aren’t able to spend much on a new coat or heavier clothing, so they come here for used items,” says, Staples, as she peeks from behind a giant, heap of mismatched pieces.

Wearing thick framed glasses, boasting a green hue that could challenge any Granny Smith apple, Heather Cheezem says, Circle Thrift is a safe-haven for even the poorest shoppers, “There’s a way to shop with dignity here, no matter how little you have to spend, there’s still a way to buy something with self-respect,” she explains, “If a person comes in and can’t afford anything over 50 cents, we will find a way to bring down the cost for them. That’s the point of Circle Thrift,” and the evidence of this promise is remarkable.

Dimpling the seas of blouses, sleepwear separates, and pants, are the keys to Circle Thrift’s color-coding system, a method used to advertise sale items offered each week. “In the beginning of every week we hang a sign in the front of the store with a certain colored dot,” explains Cheezem, as she lifts up a frail piece of plywood donning a big red circle, “And every color represents a certain discount…15, 30, even 50% off.” As a part of their commitment to providing quality goods, at affordable costs for all shoppers, Cheezum says this system plays a key part in the circulation of their merchandise as well as the generation of revenue for Circle of Hope. “Circle Thrift’s are the providers of funds for most of the projects run by Circle of Hope,” Cheezum explains, “So, the more that comes in, the more things we have to sell and that means there’s more to use for aid, and relief effotrts.” With kaleidoscope collections of shoes, hats and even home furnishings, Circle Thrift is certainly capable of pulling in the bucks despite their low prices. However, there is something for every budget from, t-shirts marked at $1.25 to bed frames and bookcases boasting sales tags of up to $20.00. (When contacted for comment, Circle Thrift declined to share annual profits.)

Unlike traditional goodwill stores, crowded with stained, tattered clothing, and accessories you wouldn’t even dare touch, Circle Thrift abides by a higher standard when selling consumer goods. A methodology that both Amanda Staples, and Heather Cheezem strictly uphold saying, “Basically, as an employee of the Circle Thrift community, I would never put something out that I wouldn’t give to a friend,” Cheezem says, “Just because some people can only buy second-hand doesn’t mean they need to sacrifice the quality of what they paying for.” Because of this mission, to improve the lives of those in need Circle Thrift has become a popular alternative to other thrift stores in the area.

As a single mother of two, and resident of nearby Kensington, Tonya Dobbs says, she relies on stores like Circle Thrift to supply affordable clothing for her and her family, “I shop here because I don’t have the money to buy everything new each time my kids grow another inch,” she explains, “I have to do what I can, and luckily this store gets a lot of new things in, so I can come in here and find something that’s actually worth the money and worth wearing.” With Circle Thrift’s policy of daily rotations of inventory, shoppers like Tonya Dobbs are more able to choose items based on taste, not because it’s the only thing available in their price range. Likewise, because of frequent shoppers like Dobbs, Amanda Staples says, its important that they change the racks everyday, “We always make sure to put new things out, because the people that come in all the time will call us on it, and they know what’s been out for a while.”

Although she admits that it’s hard to keep track of everyone, many Fishtowners have become regulars in the store and they’re not just people looking for affordable clothing. “It’s all apart of the yuppie- hipster movement that’s coming into Fishtown,” says, Staples, “You really get a good perspective on whose in the neighborhood when you work in a store like this.” Much like consignment and thrift shops in the area, Fishtown has been experiencing its own new breath of life over the past few years. Evolving from a grungy, port-town, to a sophisticated niche for trendy newcomers, this northeastern enclave has seen a significant growth due to its influx of artists and professionals, some buying real estate for as much as $300,000, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Despite the visible socioeconomic differences between the residents of Fishtown, many are finding themselves connected by a common thread; ones that make up the clothes in this inconspicuous shop, and one of goodwill and the hope in the lives of people in need.