Noah’s Ark to offer up big savings at annual Bag Day
Shoppers searching for a great deal — or many — will find one this week at an island thrift store.
Noah’s Ark, located at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Sanibel, will host its annual Bag Day on July 29 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Customers can buy marked bags for $5 each starting at 8:30 a.m., fill their shopping bags with as many items as they will hold, then walk out the door with it all.
“They fill up that bag with whatever fits in that bag,” Sue Sterrett, consultant to the leadership board for the Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop, said.
There is no limit to the number of bags that customers can purchase.
Larger items that do not fit in a bag will be 80 percent off.
“They would purchase those at the cash register,” she said.
The event is a long-standing tradition for the store, which has been around for about 60 years.
Sterrett explained that Bag Day has been organized for at least the past 20 years.
“But it is also the last day that we’re open until October. Basically, it’s to empty the store,” she said. “It gives us a chance to get in there and get everything cleaned and do any work that we need to do.”
“And it gives the volunteers a much needed break,” Sterrett added.
Items not sold during Bag Day are packed up and donated to local organizations.
“Whatever is leftover after the end of Bag Day, we give to either the Salvation Army or Teen Challenge,” she said.
Tickets will be issued that morning starting at 8:30 a.m. for customers to secure their spot in line. One ticket will be provided per person, and everyone in one’s group must be present to collect a ticket.
“They enter by admission of their ticket,” Sterrett said.
The shop offers something for everyone.
“We have clothing — men’s, women’s and children’s. We have bedding. We have electronics and furniture, art, books,” she said. “Dishes and kitchenware, glasses, sporting equipment, home decor.”
“You name it, we’ve got it,” Sterrett said.
She noted that photos of various items can be viewed on the shop’s social media pages.
“We get so many donations, the store has plenty to offer,” Sterrett said.
Customers who buy big items, like furniture, must have arrangements to remove them.
“Large items will be put on the dock and they would need to be picked up,” she said, noting that volunteers will be available to help load items. “They should plan on taking it away that day.”
Operated by volunteers with St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, the shop is staffed with approximately 60 volunteers during season and about 20 to 25 volunteers over the summertime.
“In the summer, we’re sort of a special small group,” Sterrett said, explaining that they are led by Susie Scutakes, while also giving credit to Bettie Modys. “She makes the displays look like Nordstrom.”
Proceeds from the store’s sales, coupled with funds from the parish’s annual budget, benefit multiple local, regional and global charities. Island beneficiaries include F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva and Community Housing and Resources. Other area recipients include the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance, and Partners in Breast Cancer Care.
“All of the money goes to nonprofits — nobody is paid, we’re all volunteers,” she said. “We have a grants committee that accepts grant applications and gives out the money at the end of the year.”
Island residents and visitors are invited to swing by.
“Bargains for them and support for the community in need,” she said. “And people have fun.”
Sterrett extended her appreciation to all who make the shop a success.
“A big thank you to the donors, to our customers — many of who come every day — and to our volunteers,” she said.
The store will reopen on Oct. 4. Donations will not be accepted from now through Sept. 1.
For more information, visit https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/noahs-ark or contact 239-472-2173. People can also follow on Facebook at noahsarksanibel and on Instagram @noahsarkthrift.sanibel.
Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop is at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Annual Bag Day
When
July 29 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Where
Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to the public
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email