Thrifty option a nifty idea in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – A new thrift store at Swampscott Middle School offers both fashion bargains and money for the town’s schools.”The primary goal is to get the support of the school community and get parents to think of Big Blue Bargains as a place to donate as well as to shop,” said Dawn Thompson, a board member of the Big Blue Bargains thrift shop. “Then to use the funds that we raise at each school to get whatever the teachers find is useful ? the extra things that would push our schools to the top.”The non-profit thrift shop opened Saturday and features clothes, shoes and accessories for men, women and children, along with sports equipment, housewares and other thrift-store finds.Thompson said volunteers from the local parent-teacher organizations will manage and staff the store and all store proceeds will be divided evenly among the PTOs at the five public schools.The store is scheduled to be open two days a week: Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Organizers said the store opening marked the culmination of a multi-year effort to replicate the success of the Magic Hat Thrift Shop in Marblehead.That store – located at Marblehead Veterans Middle School – has raised more than $200,000 for Marblehead public schools, Thompson said.Board Member Kristen Dishman said staff and volunteers of the Magic Hat gave advice and support for establishing the Swampscott store. She also praised the middle school officials for giving the store free space in the building’s former machine shop, and helping volunteers clean and set up the space.Dishman began collecting clothes and other items, such as clothes hangers and clothing racks, more than two years ago.”Two of us [on the board] are good yard-salers,” Dishman said. She joked that she hoped not to be assigned to work on Saturdays.She also said the thrift store reflects a community need and lessons taught in the schools.”I think a lot of people are simplifying and downsizing,” Disham said. “And kids are taught about recycling.”That has led to some eclectic items for sale.The housewares department included an antique painted dresser and a 12-piece setting of Lenox china. Dishman said she expected children’s ice skates and ballet slippers to be hot items and there was a brand new set of LEGOs in the children’s room.Organizers said visitors to the shop are welcome to drop off clothing, footwear, books, sports equipment and small pieces of furniture or small appliances.Volunteer and parent Julie Phaneuf said she supported the concept of the thrift store.”They’ve got a lot of really nice stuff,” she said. “And it’s for the kids.”Cyrus Moulton may be reached at [email protected] You Go?The Big Blue Bargains thrift shop is located at Swampscott Middle School, 207 R Forest Avenue.Visitors can enter the driveway by the gym and cafeteria and continue around the building to the blue door with “BBB” written on it. The store is scheduled to be open Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will accept donationsduring business hours. Contact [email protected] for more information.