Plates and other kitchenware at Upstairs Thrift.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
WAVERLY TWP. — Upstairs Thrift has been a staple of the Waverly Community House for over 10 years. It offers housewares, clothing for men and women and children and jewelry. Also for children, there is a special room with children’s books, toys and games. The items are season-specific. All of the items are donated by the community.
“It (donations) gives people that love the Waverly community has,” said Victoria Maybeck, an employee of the Comm, who runs Upstairs Thrift. “A place to donate, giving back with donations.”
Upstairs Thrift has regular customers that come all the time because they know they’re are getting a deal. The customers are also giving back to the Comm because 100% of the proceeds go to the Comm.
The most popular items are women’s clothing, followed by houseware items. The store started out 10 years ago. Beforehand, there was a gift shop in the community house, which was ran by the women’s club for 65 years. When the space that is now Upstairs Thrift became available, Maria Wilson, who was the Comm’s executive director at the time, thought the space could become a thrift shop.
“Major difference being in this shop, we’re year-round.” said Maybeck. “And we’re all donation, where they were consigned.”
Maybeck originally volunteered at the Comm’s old consignment shop. She was looking for a job at the time. When Upstairs Thrift was opening, a friend of hers told Wilson that Maybeck was interested in running it.
“I always liked second-hand, vintage stuff,” she said.
