If you haven’t had a chance to check out one of the newer additions to Main St., stop in soon to see what Union Store #79 has to offer. Described as a gift & thrift store, it offers gently used furniture, housewares, toys, and clothing as well as locally made jewelry and gifts. It’s a great way to do some shopping without stressing your wallet, not to mention being environmentally friendly by promoting the reuse of items. In addition the store also has a charitable mission.
I stopped in on a recent afternoon and got to talk to Norma Dowling, Executive Director of Garvey House, inc. Garvey House Inc. is a home for pregnant women in Berwick. Union #79 serves as income to support the charitable work of Garvey House, as an employment opportunity for residents of Garvey House, and as a site for job training for residents. A team of volunteers, donations, and purchases keep the store running.
Norma says the stock at Union #79 is always changing since they are constantly getting new donations. The day I was there Norma was expecting a whole house full of furniture to be coming in shortly. She also plans to expand the line of locally made crafts and jewelry.
Norma Dowling, Executive Director of Garvey House and one of the managers of Union Store #79, a gift/thrift store with a mission.
The name of the store, “Union Store #79,” is a reference to the history of South Berwick and the store’s historic location. South Berwick’s chapter of the first consumers’ cooperative in the United States, Union Store Div. 79 was located in the same spot during the 1800s. (Read more about it at the OBHS website)
The store is located at 245 Main St. in South Berwick. The phone number for the store is 207-704-0129.
