This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Second Chance Thrift Shoppe: Clean Out Those Closets to Make a Difference

The downtown thrift store benefits Garden Center Services, an organization dedicated to helping those with developmental disabilities.

Spring is right around the corner, which means the ritual of spring cleaning is upon us.

If more motivation is needed to declutter, think about clearing out those closets and offering your clothing, household items, small furniture, or collectibles to a local business that benefits the Lemont community and a good cause. 

Nestled next to the Post Office at 44 Stephen St. is a wonderful asset to the Lemont community: . Many have passed the store's colorful front windows, but have yet to poke in and check out the treasures held within. 

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Unlike some thrift stores, Second Chance is a well-organized, beautifully-arranged and well-managed shop with a large assortment of items that will tempt even the most disciplined of shoppers. Only items and clothing in the best of condition make it to the shelves and racks, and the extremely low costs and “50 percent off super sales” make shopping at the Second Chance Thrift Shoppe an irresistable pastime.

Bonnie Nalepa, manager of the Second Chance, and her husband Ron, were introduced to Patch readers . In the feature, Bonnie said she and her husband are dedicated to Garden Center Services, the agency that the proceeds of Second Chance benefits.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Garden Center Services serves approximately 150 individuals, offering homes, a sheltered workshop and other assistance for people with developmental disabilities.

Garden Center Services has two 16-bed homes and two work sites. There is no charge to parents of the residents, thus the importance of Second Chance Thrift Shoppe, which is a major source of funding for the organization.

Bonnie and Ron’s son, Bill, has been served by Garden Center for more than seven years. He lives in a group home and is very happy with his work and residence, Bonnie said.

Second Chance is valuable to the Lemont community as a low-cost shopping resource that assists not only those with strained budgets, but also provides low-cost options for those that simply choose to be frugal. Plus, it's a feel good place to donate those belongings you are having a hard time parting with.

The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Thursdays when it is open until 7 p.m. Once a month, all the items within the store are on sale for 50 percent off.

Donations are accepted on the south side of the store (Front Street) Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 pm. You will receive a receipt for your donation — just one more tax-deductible incentive to clean out those closets. 

Bonnie said clothing is the highest volume donation, and also the biggest seller. She and her staff are very picky about what items receive floor time, she said.

Bonnie is also very aware of the tastes of her patrons. She described Lemont as the nicest place to operate her "labor of love."

“The people are wonderful and the community is family-oriented,” she said.

Bonnie added that she is grateful for the support of her patrons, who see the importance of the shop to both Garden Center Services and the Lemont community as a whole.

Donations have been down during the month of February, so Second Chance employees are hoping the spring cleaning bug will excite Lemont residents to move some extra items from their homes and bring them down to the shop.

Look around the house, closets and garages, and bring those unwanted treasures to Second Chance — a wonderful shop that is making a difference not only here but in the lives of others outside our community. Your support of Second Chance will better two corners of the world.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?