(above) The Junior League of Summit Thrift Shop, located at 37 DeForest Avenue in Summit, is the oldest retail business in downtown Summit, having been established in 1933. The Thrift Shop is the primary source of income for the Junior League of Summit.
JLS Celebrates 90 Years of Service
Submitted by Dana Felmet
Junior League of Summit is celebrating its 90th Anniversary of service to the community this year. The success of the League can be attributed to hundreds of dedicated volunteers, supportive community partners and the trust of the community throughout its nine decade tenure.
The primary source of income for the League is the Junior League of Summit Thrift Shop located at 37 DeForest Avenue in Summit. The Thrift Shop was established in 1933, making it the oldest retail business in downtown Summit. All profits generated by the shop are used to support and develop local interests in the form of grants, scholarships, projects and programs. Earlier this year, the Junior League awarded over $65,000 in grants and scholarships, which is in addition to the funds provided to support the League’s signature outreach initiative, GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for our Community Essentials).
The Thrift Shop manager, Marie Avigliano, has been at the forefront of the shop’s success since she joined the team in July 2010. Marie has brought the shop into the 21st century by creating various events and sales incentives throughout the year, increasing revenue by $120,000 over her 9-year tenure.
A major renovation in 2015-2016 allowed the staff to sort and process merchandise more efficiently, which increased sales. The shop recently underwent a basement underpinning which created additional storage space for donations. Marie relied on her previous retail experience to design the shop to be organized and aesthetically pleasing to the shop’s dedicated customers, many of which are on a first name basis with the shop staff.
In addition to the shop’s incredible sales history, the shop has donated items such as books to start libraries in communities in Africa and South America through local ministries, clothing to natural disaster victims, and baby items for mothers that are not able to otherwise provide for their children.
“It’s super rewarding and heartwarming to have such a great experience at work,” says Ms. Avigliano. “I am just grateful to have the opportunity to be connected with the community in the way the shop connects. We have shared so many experiences with our customers from the birth of a baby to even the loss of some of our elderly patrons. It’s all very meaningful to me and I feel blessed to be a part of it.”
The Junior League is incredibly lucky to have Marie at the helm of such an important part of the Junior League’s legacy in the community and looks forward to what the future holds.
The Junior League of Summit is a nonprofit, charitable, and educational organization of women who are committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information about the Junior League of Summit or to inquire about becoming a member, please visit the website at jlsummit.org or contact the office at 908-273-7349. Those interested in donating to the League, please visitjlsummit.org/?nd=donate_summary.
