Thrift Shop History

Since 1983, members of Church Women United of Oxford have been selling gently-used clothing to benefit their neighbors. The former name of the thrift shop was the “Community Clothes Closet”. For several years it occupied the upstairs of the Oxford Memorial Library, at 8 Fort Hill Park, Oxford, NY. It was open during Library hours and donations were collected by library staff. Due to limited space, the Clothes Closet only carried clothes and shoes. It stayed open until the end of September 2006.

October 7th, 2006, the thrift shop opened under its current name, “Common Cents,” in the Fellowship Hall, of the United Methodist Church, located at 36 South Washington Avenue, Oxford, NY. The space was on one floor, and with a ramp entrance, it was accessible to all. In its larger location, the shop was able to offer racks upon racks of second hand discoveries and expanded to carry housewares and toys.

Cheerful ‘helping hands’ from the CWU like Sue Hubbard, Jan L’Hommedieu, Roberta Knoll, and Valerie Hughes helped make the thrift shop successful. As always, coordinating this great endeavor was Joyce Ardron.

October 6th, 2009, Common Cents opened at 4 LaFayette Park, Oxford, NY. The Grand Opening ceremony was held on October 10th. Festivities included a ribbon cutting with dignitaries: the United Methodist Church’s Pastor John Martin and the honorable Village of Oxford Mayor Terry M. Stark gave speeches; a shop blessing; giveaways and refreshments. DJ Jim Baldwin provided his professional sound system and music.

Coordinator Joyce Ardron gave a speech thanking those who made the move possible.
See the video here (youTube video)

With a permanent, full-time home, the village thrift shop applied for and received a $1,300 grant from the Community Foundation for South Central New York. The grant money was used for new tables, clothing racks, size markers and other equipment to furnish the shop. Many volunteers like Janet D'Angelo, Louise Spicer, Betty Benedict, and Linda Hofmann volunteer to work in the shop that is open four and a half days a week.

Almost a year later, an opportunity arose they couldn't pass up for an even larger permanent location at 64 N. Canal Street (Rte 12) -just one mile north of the village- where they are now. This was formerly the LeClar Auction house known as The Gavel. There's plenty of parking, highway traffic, and donations of clothing and other items can be dropped off right there now. They also have neighbors David and Ellen of 'David Mabey's Antiques Plus' next door to attract more shoppers.

The locations may have changed, but for nearly three decades the thrift shop continues to provide revenue for the food pantry and donate items free of charge to families that suffer emergencies or other great need.