AVONDALE — Monarch Thrift Shop is back in action this weekend after a brief hiatus.
The Monarch crew has moved the Avondale thrift shop from its longtime home to a larger storefront across the street at 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave. to grow the shop’s partnership with One Heart One Soul, a nonprofit founded by Mireya Fouché, the shop’s co-executive director.
Now, the bigger shop is ready for its public debut, with a soft opening set for 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. After that, Monarch will be open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays.
At 4,000 square feet, the new shop is more than 1,000 square feet larger than the original space, carrying an array of secondhand clothing, books, home goods and furniture for sale.
The new shop is also headquarters for Fouché’s One Heart One Soul, which helps youth experiencing homelessness. It will house an art gallery with acrylic paintings, photography and other art made by youth involved in the nonprofit, and a classroom for the organization’s training program.
“We want to make it more tangible and visible so our consumers know that the power of their dollar is going back to these programs housed in the organization,” Fouché previously said.
The shop’s grand opening — with an art exhibit and classrooms tours — is planned for October, Fouché said.
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