Quantcast

Housing Works to open new thrift store in Forest Hills

Housing Works to open new thrift store in Forest Hills
Courtesy of Google Maps
By Carlotta Mohamed

Housing Works is set to open a new thrift store Sept. 29 in Forest Hills — the nonprofit’s first in Queens.

Housing Works Thrift Shop will be located at 71-54 Austin St. and will offer men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, in addition to small home accessories, books and an art section, according to Katherine Oaks, the associate director of marketing and communications at Housing Works.

“We’re thrilled we can introduce Forest Hills to our beloved Thrift Shops,” Vice President of Thrift Retail Cheryl Grimm said. “It has been a long time coming but we’re excited to finally have a shop in Queens!”

Housing Works, a nonprofit founded in 1990 to fight AIDS and homelessness, is known for its upscale thrift shops located throughout New York City, and also runs a reputable bookstore located in Soho on Crosby Street.

The Austin Street location will be Housing Works’ 14th thrift shop — the organization operates 11 locations in Manhattan and two in Brooklyn, according to Oaks.

Like its other shops, the Forest Hills location is expected to be beautifully merchandised and curated with upscale goods — all donated from the community, said Oaks, who added that one of the best things about a Thrift Shop is that a customer will never know what they’re going to find when they walk in.

“You might find a pair of Prada shoes or a collection of perfect for fall J.Crew sweaters to a Karen Millen dress and Michael Kors bag,” she said. “Forest Hills will carry both men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. Men might find a pair of Cole Haan shoes, or a brand new pair of sneakers, or a Ferragamo tie. We’ll also have a small homeware section, where you might find anything from crystal whiskey glasses to sterling silver picture frames.”

According to Oaks, prices vary with items for sale for just a few dollars and beautiful art pieces available for a couple hundred of dollars.

All proceeds from the thrift shop will help fund Housing Works’ effort to provide lifesaving services and housing to individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions.

The nonprofit has served more than 30,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS and has advocacy offices in Albany, Washington, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and Haiti.

Housing Works opened its first Thrift Shop in 1992 in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The shop was among the first of its kind to pioneer the idea of retail enterprises to sustain non-profit efforts.

All members of the community are invited to stop by the shop’s grand opening event planned for Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. to enjoy tasty treats and drinks provided by some of the neighborhood’s restaurants. Guests can also enter raffles for a chance to win several prizes.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming to the community into our shop,” said Oaks.

Following the grand opening, the shop will operate normal business hours Monday tjrough Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are welcome during business hours.

For more information about Housing Works visit www.housingworks.org

Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmohamed@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.