Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Betty Brown (left) of Monte Sereno, and Shirley Clark, of Saratoga, both have volunteered at the Echo Shop for the past 20 and 30 years, respectively. Volunteers at the shop are preparing for a half-price sale, which begins March 6.
Thrift store sells items, uses money for grants
By Rebecca Ray
In pricey Saratoga, customers can still buy toys, kitchenware, clothes, linens, books, electronics and shoes for cheap prices, and all at one place: the Echo Shop, a thrift store located at 14477 Big Basin Way.
Housed in a white building that used to be a cottage, the Echo Shop usually sells donated items for about one-fifth of the amount they would cost if they were new. "You never know from day to day what's going to be donated, and everything is donated," volunteer Suzanne Roberts-Irion said.
With the proceeds, the shop--owned and operated by The Episcopal Church Women of Saint Andrews--makes annual grants to 15 community service organizations, including Our Daily Bread, Santa Maria Urban Mission and Saratoga Adult Day Care Center. The shop also donates items each week to Hope for the Handicapped.
About 130 all-volunteer staff members and one paid custodian work at the shop, which probably takes up about 800 square feet of space, said manager Marianne McDonnal. McDonnal has volunteered at the shop since 1986.
But the staff members don't all work there at once--usually, a minimum of two staff members, one salesperson and one pricer, with a maximum of seven staff members, three salespeople and four pricers, work there at a time. While the salespeople work the cash register and help customers in the front rooms where the merchandise is on display, the pricers hang out in the pricing room in the back that used to be a kitchen.
After the merchandise is priced, it is stored in either a shed outside, or at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Although most of the merchandise comes from private citizens, merchants who are going out of business will occasionally donate items.
The store is run by a board that consists of nine staff members, which includes McDonnal, assistant manager Ann Myers, a secretary, a treasurer, pricing and properties managers, workers who are in charge of staffing in pricing and sales and a nominating chairperson. Each fiscal year, a different staff member serves as manager. While some staff members work regular hours, others serve as substitutes.
McDonnal said that she liked "the camaraderie and fellowship we have amongst ourselves and our customers." Once, she said, when she had trouble working the cash register, a customer showed her how to do it.
Roberts-Irion, who has lived in Saratoga since 1974, and volunteer Evan Picard, who has lived in Saratoga since 1976, have volunteered at the shop and decorated it for each holiday and special event for at least 20 years. Recently, they took down the Valentine's Day decorations and replaced them with St. Patrick's Day decorations. Picard, who has worked in sales and marketing, served as property manager and managed the store three times. She is a watercolorist, who also does embossing and collages, and has donated some of her works to decorating the store.
Twice each year, the Echo Shop has a week-long half-price sale and a "Bag Day" sale, at which customers can buy one bagful of items for $4. Customers range from collectors to savvy shoppers who are looking for a bargain. Around Halloween, customers will also come to the shop to buy affordable costumes.
The Episcopal Church Women of St. Andrews founded the shop about 40 years ago to make money for charities. When they held a contest as to who could come up with the best name, they chose the name "The Echo Shop" because an echo is something that comes back to a person, just as donations and proceeds go back to the community. The shop was located on Fourth Street, until it moved to its present location.
Although the shop accepts various items, it can't accept large items such as computers, TVs, ski boots, ski poles, furniture and microwaves due to space constraints.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
