From beautiful glassware to shoes one can wear on the next night out, Magic Hat Thrift Shop has all of that and more right at the fingertips of the community.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the nonprofit thrift store opened its doors in 2005 and began operating as a team of volunteers. Now they’re able to have seven paid workers and a board of directors who assist with how the store is run while continuing to offer volunteer opportunities.
Gayle Stoll, a member of the board, provided some insight into the store’s history and how it’s been running over the last 20 years. Stoll was an employee for 30 years with the Marblehead Public Schools. Upon retirement, she began volunteering at Magic Hat. After roughly a year of volunteer work, she was asked to join the board. She’s now been a part of the store’s leadership for ten years.
The volunteers at Magic Hat come from all walks of life. They are mothers and fathers and even high school students who can earn money for the schools through their volunteer work. Twice a year, a certain percentage of the earnings are divided and given to the schools. An additional percentage can be added based on the number of volunteer hours.
The money is then given to the parent-teacher organization (PTO) or the parent-community organization (PCO) for each of the five schools in Marblehead. Stoll shared they have given over $2 million to the schools over the last 20 years.
All of the items within the store were donated with the help of generous community members, according to Stoll. The store ends up being filled with beautiful paintings, dishes, and clothing.
“Nothing is thrown away,” Stoll said. “We recycle everything that’s given to us. Planet Aid comes and picks up any clothes that we can’t sell, and then they reuse those. We donate books we can’t use. We give goods to the animal shelter.”
It is a constant rotation of donations through Magic Hat. As community members either offer their time or their goods, Magic Hat works to give back through further donations of the goods that can’t be sold.
Stoll’s ten-year tenure on the board at Magic Hat has been nothing short of wonderful.
“I do it because it’s giving back to the schools,” Stoll said. “For me personally, it keeps me sort of involved in the school system, and now I have a grandchild that lives in Marblehead.”
In celebration of their 20-year anniversary, Magic Hat is offering 20% off of everything for the month of January. Be sure to find your next treasure at the thrift store that keeps on giving.
