You never know what you might find in a thrift shop.
That’s the motto of the Hammock Thrift Shop located at 5404 N. Oceanshore Bouvelard in Palm Coast.
“As always, keep on ‘Thrifting,’ you never know what treasure you might find,” was included as a call to action in a recent post on the store’s Facebook page.
Indeed, such is true as the store’s current inventory as of this writing included more than 150 pieces of sterling silver jewelry secured from auctions and estate sales. Unique rings, necklaces, brooches, and earrings were listed as being offered at “very reasonable prices.”
Shop owner Nancy Swinderman opened the store on August 1, 2015, with the goal of turning her own thrift shopping experiences into an opportunity for others all the while helping support other local charities.
“I was retired and I wanted to give back to the community,” Swinderman told Palm Coast Magazine.
Currently, proceeds from the Hammock Thrift Shop support the work of the Flagler County Free Clinic and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86 in Palm Coast.
A “spare change” jar stationed at the store’s checkout counter collected more than $1,100 last year for the Hammock community food pantry, Swinderman said.
The shop employs seven people – Swinderman included as well as her daughter who is the shop’s manager – part-time.
Each day the shop is open, various items are chosen to be added to the shop’s “free” rack. The bulk is clothing – particularly items that have a small stain but are still in good shape for wear doing “dirty” jobs such as gardening, Swinderman said.
Donations are accepted anytime during the shop’s open hours. Those hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Swinderman said the shop does not accept children’s clothing, toys, electronics or ceiling lights or fan fixtures. But the shop just recently purchased a cargo van to facilitate free pickup of furniture from those donating and to rent for a nominal fee for those purchasing furniture and needing transportation assistance.
The shop is easy to find, Swinderman said. “Our landmark is that we are located directly across from Publix on A1A,” she said. — Amy Armstrong
