"Golden" Bargains Abound at Jr. League's Re-Done Shop

20% Discount & Raffle During Grand Re-opening: Dec 19

by Chris Gerosa

Featured items will be easy to find in the front window of the renovated shop.

(December 10, 2008) Real bargains can be found every day at a place that has been in Larchmont for over 50 years. But many Larchmont shoppers have never even been there. The owners are trying to change that with a new interior renovation and grand re-opening sale on Friday, December 19. Click for printable 20% Off Coupon - Good December 19.

"I was amazed at how many quality things there are to be found at this shop,” said Stephanie Fougere, one local resident, who recently discovered the store. “I found some great dishes, home decor items, children's clothes, even winter coats - all in wonderful condition and really great prices! It is amazing to find this kind of thing in the Village. And I must have walked by the place 100 times before finally checking it out."

So what was she talking about? It’s The Golden Shoestring, owned and operated by the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (JLWOS). The store accepts donations of new and used items and then sells them at greatly reduced prices. Although the shop, for over 50 years, has succeeded in raising funds for Junior League causes, until recently most of regular clientele has come from outside of Larchmont. But that is starting to change.

The repainted and reorganized interior of the shop makes it easier to find those "golden nuggets."

“I bought a fabulous coat there, and some really nice children's clothes. I couldn't believe I even found the kids' holiday outfits there,” said Larchmont resident Tiffany Smith. “Some things still had tags on them. I also bought some Holiday decorations, and some things were only $1."

On Monday night, December 8, the Larchmont Village Board gave permission for the store to announce its grand reopening with a sales rack outside the store (weather permitting). Village Trustee Anne McAndrews recalled that the Golden Shoestring has always been the place to find blazers – the kind a boy wears a few times to a soccer dinner, bar mitzvah or dance class before he outgrows it.

For those who shop exclusively higher end, The Golden Shoestring can also offer something exclusive and rare - the diamond in the rough - like a vintage Miu Miu bag that Pam Buchmueller bought there for only $40. "I saw the label and immediately thought it must have been a fake. But I had it checked out and it is definitely the real thing,” she said. “I went online and saw that the bag I bought for only $40 is actually worth around $900.

"We get some really amazing finds at the store," said Mary Cox, store manager. "But the beauty of the shop is that there is truly something for everyone. There are things for $1 and $200 and everything in between. And you get the benefit of feeling like you did something good for others, as all the profits go to local charities run by the Junior League."

All of the items are donated by local residents, so the shop does have some real treasures to be found. The problem was they were hard to find, before the renovation. Now it will be much easier.

"We are going to start showcasing any designer and special items in the window as our special Golden Item for a week before they go on sale," said Ms. Cox.

Additional items of this kind will have their own display area inside the store, eliminating the need to spend a lot of time, well, digging for gold.

Visitors to the Golden Shoestring during its re-opening on Friday, December 19 from 10 am – 1 pm, will receive a couyon good that day for 20% off already discounted items. (Click for printable 20% Off Coupon - Good December 19.) Those who make a purchase will also be entered in a raffle to win prizes such as brand new Burberry accessories and a spa gift certificate. All proceeds go to Junior League charity projects such as The Abbott House for boys and the ABC Children's Literacy Program.

The Golden Shoestring also accepts donations from Wednesday to Saturday, 10:30-3:00, of clothing (men's/women's/children's) and other items in good condition and current fashion. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information about The Golden Shoestring and Junior League of Westchester on the Sound, please visit www.jlwos.org

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