A Beautiful Home Decor Shift… Using Thrift
October 2024 Issue
By Lesley Kyle
Photography by Lindsay Pettinicchi Photography, LLC
Debbie Wood and Gail Posey know a thrift shop find when they see one.
The doors of the Church Mouse Thrift Shop first opened in 2004. Debbie began volunteering there in 2011 and became the shop’s general manager in 2014. She met Gail, a valued regular shopper, and offered her the assistant manager position four years ago. “I was looking for something to do and thought, ‘They won’t want this old gal,’” said Gail. Debbie was thrilled Gail accepted the offer, and Gail was delighted to step into the role. Debbie and Gail became a formidable team that led them down a parallel path of interior design.
Recently, a shop volunteer and frequent thrift shopper decided to remodel a Hilton Head Island home she owns for her family who visits frequently. She decided to fully furnish and decorate the guest home with finds from the Church Mouse and other area thrift stores. Before construction began, Debbie and Gail took photos of the residence as the vision for the project took shape. The renovation, which was scheduled to be completed last April, crept along at island speed and is now finally finished. As renovations lumbered along, Gail and Debbie evaluated the progress and remained on the lookout for items to fit with the homeowner’s vision: light, bright, cozy, comfortable, and welcoming.
The project was not without some challenges. Unlike traditional or even big box furniture and home décor stores, shoppers don’t always find everything they’re seeking at one time when thrifting.
“You have to be patient,” advised Gail. “The item may come, but not when you’re looking for it. It’s part of the hunt, finding the perfect piece and learning its history that makes it interesting. When I’m working on the shop floor, I encourage thrifters to be open to things, and let them come to you instead of chasing a specific piece. For example, an entire bed frame may not fit into a home’s décor or a specific room, but the headboard alone may be a perfect fit to finish a space,” Gail explained.
The shop’s distinctive two-floor layout sets the Church Mouse apart from other area thrift stores. A series of different rooms instead of one large open space lends a more intimate air to the Church Mouse. Furniture and home décor pieces are the shop’s top sellers by volume, followed by women’s clothing. “The quality of our merchandise is outstanding,” Debbie said. “Our community is a very generous one, and our customers comment on our merchandising talent in each department.”
More than 100 volunteers devote their time to sorting, organizing, preparing, displaying, and processing the sales of Church Mouse merchandise each week. Before joining as an employee, Gail had no idea what went on in the back of the store. “Long hours of hard work go into preparing the merchandise for sale, and it’s incredible. It’s humbling to be around.”
When is the best day to visit the Church Mouse? “Tuesday through Saturday,” Gail and Debbie said in unison. The store is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and new donations arrive daily. In addition to furniture and home décor pieces, the Church Mouse sells sports equipment, tools, books, clothing, and more. “It’s a fun place to work,” said Debbie. “But we couldn’t do it without our dedicated staff of volunteers.” (Volunteers and aspiring interior designers are all welcome.)
Proceeds from Church Mouse sales benefit Christian nonprofit organizations both nearby and around the world. During last year’s annual cycle, the Church Mouse awarded $725K in grants to more than 50 direct and pass-through recipients. To be considered, organizations must be located in either Beaufort or Jasper Counties or be affiliated with churches residing in either county. More than 100 Christian missions and local nonprofit organizations have received funding. A luncheon is held for grant recipients, and attendees have the opportunity to hear how the funds impact peoples’ lives around the world. “The reach of the Church Mouse gives you a new perspective on its contributions and what it stands for,” said Gail. “It’s wonderful to be a part of it.”
Go Thrifting!
The Church Mouse Thrift Shop
(www.churchmousethrift.com) is located at 78 Arrow Road on the south end of Hilton Head. The Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.