Gifts that give back
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Holiday shopping alternatives abound in diocesan thirft shops
t feels like every third story we see on TV or read online is talking about the supply chain crisis and its impact on Christmas.
Beyond what’s missing on the shelves at our local Publix or Target, for the first time in years we are seeing warnings for Christmas shipping deadlines in November and Black Friday sales starting earlier, and earlier. A piece of advice, skip the rat race all together and look to your local small businesses, Goodwill or Episcopal Church thrift store for all your gifting needs. This year, Shannon, and I, being life-long thrift shoppers, wanted to share our tips for finding the best gifts for everyone on your list. I can’t pinpoint exactly when my passion for thrift and antique shopping began. Perhaps it was decorating cookies as a child on my Great Grandma Mimi’s 100-year-old maple dining table or maybe it was the look of the vintage clothes that lined the walls of our community theatre’s costume department, but somewhere on my journey, my creative spirit came alive among the beloved items of someone’s else’s past. There is nothing more magical than the beauty of intention. With each gift you give this season, do so with the Love of Jesus Christ and the warmth of the Holy Spirit. And if possible, let your gift give more by supporting the stewardship of your church and community.
DIOCESAN THRIFT STORES Clearwater Deanery Region Ascension, Clearwater: The Shed Thrift Shop is located at Ascension, 701 Orange Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756. Phone: 727-447-3469. Open Thur., Fri. and Sat., 9:00-12:00.
by Lindsey Nickel & Shannon Weber
Holy Spirit, Safety Harbor: Located next to the parish hall, 601 Philippe Pkwy., Safety Harbor, FL 34695. Phone: 727725-4726. Open Thur.-Sat., 9:00-1:00. Holy Trinity, Clearwater: Located at Holy Trinity, 3240 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater, FL 33761. Phone: 727723-7631. Open Mon.-Sat., 10:00-4:00. St. Andrew, Spring Hill: Karen's Kit 'N Kaboodle is located at St. Andrew, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34606. Phone: 352-686-1114. Open Mon.-Sat., 10:00-4:00. St. John, Clearwater: Located at St. John, 1676 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL 33764. Phone: 727-531-6020. Open Tues., Thur. and Sat., 9:30-3:30. St. Stephen, New Port Richey: Located at St. Stephen, 5326 Charles St., New Port Richey, FL. Phone: 727-846-1378. Open Mon.-Sat., 10:00-2:00.
Tampa/St. Petersburg Deanery Regions St. Alban, St. Pete Beach: The Attic Shoppe is located at 316 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706. Phone: 727-3605647. Open Wed.-Sat., 10:00-2:00. St. Bartholomew, St. Petersburg: Located at St. Bartholomew, 3747 34th St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33711. Phone: 727-867-7015. Open Tues.-Sat., 10:00-2:00. St. Mark's, Tampa: Located at 13310 Cain Rd. Tampa, FL 33625. Phone: 813-599-1899. Open Fri.-Sat., 10:00-2:00. St. Vincent, St. Petersburg: Located at 5124 22nd Ave. S., Gulfport, FL 33711. Phone: 727-321-7215. Open Wed.-Sat., 10:00-2:00.
Manasota Deanery Region
Church of the Good Samaritan, Clearwater: Located next to Good Samaritan, 2167 NE Coachman Rd., Clearwater, FL 33765. Phone: 727-447-9581. Open Thur.-Sat., 12:00-4:00.
Christ Church, Bradenton: Located at Christ Church, 4030 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205. Phone: 941747-3709. Open Thur. and Fri., 10:00-2:00.
Good Shepherd, Dunedin: The Little Thrift Shop is located at Good Shepherd, 506 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698 on the north side of the street. Phone: 727-734-8238. Open Mon., Thur., Fri. and Sat. 10:00-2:00. The Furniture Thrift Shop is located just south of the light at Alt. 19 and Sunset Pt. Rd., Clearwater, FL. Phone: 727-600-5820. Open Tues.-Sat., 12:00-3:00.
Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota: Episcopal Thrift House is located at 1503 Second St., Sarasota, FL 34236. Phone: 941-365-1519. Open Tues.-Sat., 10:00-1:00. St. Mary's, Palmetto: St. Mary's Thift Shop is located at 1010 24th Ave. W., Palmetto, FL 34221. Phone 941-722-5292. Open Sat. 10:00-1:00. 23
