Catholic Charities remodels thrift store, reopens with spacing and fresh donations

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Catholic Charities has used the COVID-19 slow down to remodel its Haley Street thrift store in Santa Barbara and it has now reopened.

The new look comes with a fresh load of donations. Many have come from people who have been cleaning and thinning out their clothing and furniture during the stay at home order.

Due to spacing rules during the pandemic, there will be a limit on the number of people allowed to shop at one time. Masks are required, and hand sanitizer is available at the entrance.

That's similar to other thrift stores that are open including the Goodwill.

Catholic Charities uses the funds from the store in its budget to serve those in need with food, clothing, vouchers and other financial assistance countywide. It helps thousands of struggling residents in the area each week.

Catholic Charities Thrift store manager Chris Zoltoski said,  "we've got quite a remodel that we've done."
For those who have been spending the last few months getting together boxes of donations  the message is, "bring it," said Zoltowski.

He says some of the new racks came from Nordstrom when the downtown store closed. Looking at the show area he said,  "these are Nordstrom shoe racks, and they are way better."   Zoltowki said the old racks did not hold shoes well, many fell and go out of order.

 Money raised  at the store helps  with the food pantry, along with clothing vouchers and funds for  essential needs especially during the on going crisis.

Countywide thousands are helped each month.

Shoppers like Curt Pickering said, "once in awhile you find something that you say  'I gotta have it.'"
He is always looking for a lost treasure.   "I'm always looking for those 1960's baseball cards my mom threw away.  Maybe she gave them to someone and they're here," he laughed.
Shoppers coming to the store have to wear a mask and hand sanitizer is available.
During these stressful times, thrift stores are also a way to stretch a dollar.

Zoltoski said,  "they are going to be looking for a good value for their dollar and this is the place to come.  Anything that happens in town that tends to put people in a different perspective financially,  they tend to come here. We love that."

The location at 609 E Haley St. also has a food distribution building and a main office. 

It has also served as a supplemental Food Bank of Santa Barbara County pick up location.

Donations that are dropped off are held for at least a day before they are sorted and put out for sale.

The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara was a vital part of the remodeling plan.  The store’s 50-year-old roof was leaking. Often in rains there were areas with interior damage. A grant paid for the new roof to keep the store open and generating funds for the community needs.

Many Thrift stores in the Central Coast region have opened with protocols to allow a limited number of customers in.

Some have a shopping pattern to follow that's marked on the ground.

Often customers go to a thrift store for the bargain pricing, and in some cases, it is based on the agency that is supported. That could be those in financial need, animals or the disabled.

 Zoltoski says he often sees customers finding something special or thrilled with a rare find.  "Even if they don't buy it   it's fun,   it's fun to watch  them find stuff."

For further information go to: Catholic Charities

and also: The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara