The Christmas Season is officially upon us and Black Friday, Shop Local

Saturday, and Cyber Monday presented us with special discounts this time of year.

            But, if you're fond of discounts look no further than the Upper Perkiomen Community Thrift Shop in Pennsburg.

            Located in what many of us old-timers remember as the 16,000 square-foot Pennsburg Clothing Factory, the store is on the first floor of the building and is a veritable cornucopia of thousands of items for sale at bargain-basement prices – some of those items still "new in box."

            The basement is the main entry point for donated items and second floor is used for storage.

            The operation is run by the Upper Perkiomen Community Council, Inc., a non-

Upper Perkiomen Community Thrift Shop Assistant manager Gail Brooke, working in the basement of the shop, prepares a Santa decoration for display on the store floor.

profit organization dedicated to helping build the capacity in the Upper Perkiomen Valley non-profits through the financial resources from the Community Thrift Shop.

            Organizations benefiting from those distributions include The Open Link, Bike and Sol, Upper Perkiomen Valley Library, and RSVP of Montgomery County.

            This time of year, the store is graciously decked out with plenty of holiday items to go with all of the rest of the new or gently used items.

            Fred Ferrigio manages the operation that consists of two additional employees and about 30 volunteers.  Ferrigio is "always looking for more volunteers" at the store.

            All of the volunteers on hand the day I visited the store were busy helping shoppers and performing other assorted duties including sorting recently received items and stacking the shelves.

            Those shelves were stocked with jewelry, household items, toys, clothes, shoes, crafting items, electronic items, furniture, and much more.

            Ferrigio said that last week's Black Friday "generated the second largest amount of cash sales" in the stores history.

            Looking around the inventory of the impressive store, one can see why people chose the Community Thrift Shop as a stop on their shopping agenda.  It is spacious and organized.

            On a trip to the basement to see the receiving area we ran into assistant manager Gail Brooke, who was busy sorting and preparing items for the store floor.

            I asked Fred and Gail if anything of significant value was ever donated for sale at the store.  Fred remembered a 1969 Model Kit that was valued at $350 and Gail recollected a saxophone valued at $1,500. Both items were a bonus for the store and the organizations they support.

            Gail reminded me to let all our readers know that Santa will be at the store on Saturday Dec. 15, from 1–3 p.m.  Photos with the Jolly Old Elf, by CatB photography, will be available for just $5 for two 5"x7" prints.  There will also be sweet treats, beverages and door prizes.

            But, that's not all.  The store will also be hosting an Ugly Sweater Contest.  To enter the contest, just stop in during store hours, between December 10^th and 14^th and have your photo taken with your ugly sweater.  First place winner gets a $20 gift card; second place a $15 gift card; and third place a $10 gift card.

            In addition to the bargains you can find, another benefit of shopping at the Community Thrift Shop is the opportunity to meet and chat with the volunteers.  It seems that all of them are proud to have the chance to serve their community by helping out at the store.

            The shop is located at 301 Fourth St. in Pennsburg.  It is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

            Have a new or gently used item to donate?  Donation hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m-4 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

            So, help your community and help yourself by shopping at the Upper Perkiomen Valley Community Thrift Shop and enjoy the experience.