All Saints’ Parish wishes thrift shop manager a happy retirement
It was all hands on deck last week at All Saints’ Parish Thrift Shop as volunteers, staff and church members shut the doors and surprised store manager Lynn Brittingham with a well-deserved retirement luncheon.
The thrift shop had humble beginnings about 28 years ago when the All Saints’ Episcopal Church Women began to sell secondhand items in the church basement. Since then, the shop has moved to several different locations, and now it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists at 20673 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach.
Lynn’s husband Ken recalled, “She began as a volunteer. Then she was asked to be the manager and pay some bills. Everyone noted her organizational skills and her ability to arrange the store into a very welcoming shopping experience. If something is out of place, you can just ask Lynn where it belongs.” It’s like she has a photographic memory, he said.
Gladys Kellner has been unpacking the donated clothes since 2006. “It’s interesting what you find in pockets. I found $10 once, but another volunteer found a $100 bill.”
The thrift shop was founded on the principle of giving back to the community. Over the last 10 years, accountant Christine Stanley said, the outreach and volunteer donations have totaled about $2.5 million.
Some of the charities receiving proceeds from the sales include Community Resource Center, Food Bank of Delaware, SPCA, Delaware Hospice, Camp Arrowhead, and Tunnell Cancer Center, to name just a few.
Each month at least 15 lucky volunteers’ names are drawn, and they get to choose which charity they want their donation to support. Volunteer Rita Corbett, who has worked in the linen department for many years, said, “It’s wonderful when your name is picked. I usually donate money to St. Vincent de Paul, because it was my family’s desired choice.”
Mike Robertson has been putting up stainless steel racks and working on making room for more merchandise for 10 years. “The best part of this job is working with such nice people and getting to know our regular customers,” he said.
Sue Mast, a cashier for more than 20 years, couldn’t agree more, saying, “It’s been fun to be here and work with Lynn, and such an amazing staff and volunteers.”
Longtime parishioner Henley Graves said, “All Saints’ Thrift Shop is better and more popular than any shop you’ll find anywhere in the country.” While Graves was paying tribute to Lynn, several customers were knocking on the door seeking entrance.
Mother Eunice Dunlap said, “I will miss them both very much. Especially Ken’s prank telephone calls whenever I was working the register. Ken called, disguised his voice and asked ‘Is the head custodian here?’ I answered, we don’t have a head custodian; then he said, ‘Isn’t Lynn there? She cleans up everything.’”
Lynn Brittingham and her husband Ken are looking forward to traveling and spending time with family. All of the staff and parishioners of All Saints’ and St. George’s Chapel are grateful for their years of dedication and work given to the community.
The thrift shop has welcomed a new store manager, Joanna Carty from Wilmington. She brings 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, operations and program development in Delaware and Philadelphia. Carty said, “I look forward to working with our many volunteers and getting to know the community.”
Store hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed Tuesday), and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday. Starting Nov. 13, Saturday hours will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can be dropped off at the back of the store on Monday and Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. Volunteers are needed to work three-hour shifts; call 302-226-3123 for more information. To schedule the truck to pick up furniture, call 302-841-1759.
