Thanks for 5 wonderful years!
After five wonderful years, STUFF closed its doors on October 31, 2002. Continuing a tradition that began nearly forty years ago, Stuff was a bold experiment in "entrepeneurial philanthropy" in which profits from the store were designated to support social service and social change ministries and programs in the community. Unique to this incarnation of the store was that it sold a combination of gently used and resale goods as well as new gift items. During its tenure, it was voted as the number one gift and thrift store by the Digital City Website and by independent survey at New Times.
Over the years, Stuff became a place in which both parishioners of St. Augustine's and neighrborhood volunteers worked together to serve the larger community. Some of our most faithful volunteers over the years, in fact, have never attended church and may never do so but they were drawn to the store's vision and commitment. Less tangible, but of equal importance, the store was a place where the neediest in our community could find a welcome and a clean article of clothing. More than once, homeless persons who were given the opportunity to interview for a job, came to Stuff for free clothes to wear to their interview. Stuff became a "destination shop" people would drive some distance to, from as far away as the Valley and the South Bay. Tourists would return again and again when in Southern California and, most amazingly of all, Stuff was written up as a "most see in Southern California" by the Japanese Tourism Board.
Sadly, since the events of 9/11, tourism has been down dramatically in Southern California in general and Santa Monica in particular. Receipts at the store dropped some 62% following the terrorism attacks and never fully recovered. It was time to move on.
On behalf of all the volunteers (there was never any paid staff at Stuff); St. Augustine's thanks the larger community for their support through these wonderful years. What an adventure.
Copyright © 2002 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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