The Winnetka Thrift Shop

Among the enduring projects that the Counseling Center of the North Shore has maintained through the years has been the Winnetka Thrift Shop. Initially established in 1912 by Mary Garretson as the Clothing Sales Committee of the of the Relief & Aid Society, the Thrift Shop was intended to be a source of affordable clothing for people in need in Winnetka, as well as an outlet for charitable donations that could directly benefit the local community. After initially operating out of the Winnetka Village Hall and then the Winnetka Community House, the Thrift Shop was moved to its current location on Green Bay Road in 1973.

The Winnetka Thrift Shop today:

• 100% of the Winnetka Thrift Shop proceeds benefit Counseling Center of the North Shore.
• About 70% of Winnetka Thrift Shop costumers are repeat customers
• All the accepted donated goods are sold, donated items that are not acceptable to sell in the shop are donated on to other organizations or are recycled.
• The Thrift Shop provides work opportunities by partnering with New Trier High School and Our Place, a North Shore Organization that supports teens and adults with developmental disabilities.
• The Thrift Shop is proud member of the Winnetka Northfield Chamber of Commerce