Naila FrancisStaff Writer| The Intelligencer
Well before the doors officially opened for business, Linda Mann was standing outside In Full Swing.
Volunteers at the thrift shop that benefits A Woman’s Place, the Bucks County organization that aids victims of domestic abuse, briefly considered asking her to join their staff. They dismissed the idea, recalled Mann with a laugh, assuring her that she served them best as a good customer.
And indeed, Mann, a Doylestown resident, was one of many to visit the store’s new location at 225 W. State St. in the borough on Saturday during its grand opening. Formerly known as Full Circle when it opened in 1992, the shop relocated from New Britain with a new name, larger size and bolder ambitions.
“I’m just excited about the opportunity to bring the community of Doylestown into the store and to get them to be part of our organization and understand our mission,” said manager Donna Fedorak, who also is new to the store, following Saturday’s ribbon cutting ceremony. “I look forward to building relationships with other businesses in town.”
Since 1976, when it first opened as a drop-in domestic violence counseling center in Sellersville, A Woman’s Place has been providing support, advocacy, shelter and other services to victims and their children, as well as community-based programs to raise awareness about such abuse. The thrift store was conceived as a place where victims, many of whom leave their unsafe circ*mstances with nothing but the clothes on their backs, could build a wardrobe.
Today, the vouchers A Woman’s Place provides to clients to shop at the store for free are still a vital part of helping them reclaim their lives.
“When women come to us they’re pretty much on their last straw and very much alone ... Giving them those vouchers, it’s an empowering experience,” said Jacalyn Hartzell, online engagement strategist for the nonprofit. “It’s not just a handout. They get to choose and select what they like, for themselves and their children. When you think you have nothing, and you get to do something, that is a piece of that puzzle of getting to a more positive place.”
Even the name change, noted Hartzell, suggests as much and speaks to A Woman’s Place’s vision for a society where everyone can feel safe in their relationships.
“In Full Swing is active. It’s moving forward. It’s all those positive things we want to cultivate,” she said.
The store is also a bargain shopper’s dream.
“I think it’s so foolish to pay full price when you can shop somewhere like this,” said Mann, whose finds Saturday included a like-new brown cropped leather jacket and wool sweater shrug, both for less than $30. “I found a hand-designed Scottish suit in here once. I’ve gotten stuff from Nieman Marcus, an Armani jacket ... They get really great stuff.”
The self-proclaimed regular should know since her father was a clothier. But the store is also a hip destination for the young and trendy, including Chase Macpherson, who was browsing the racks with her older sister Decatur on Saturday wearing a black lace shirt she purchased at the old location in the Town Center in New Britain.
“She always looks cute and she gets a lot of her clothing here,” said Decatur. “There’s so much variety, and it’s always nice when you can get an awesome steal.”
In the more spacious and prominent location, all those fashions, as well as books, housewares and accessories, are displayed to better, brighter effect. With the added space, Fedorak plans to launch a specialty section, featuring vintage and designer apparel. But she’s most excited about her staff of volunteers, which she also hopes to expand.
“When you volunteer here, you’re not just coming into a store and working. You have a sense of purpose,” she said. “Helping us is helping these women in need.”
Doylestown’s Helen Manning has been volunteering at the thrift store for 18 years. The 90-year-old, who can now walk to the new location from her home with fellow volunteer Mary McWilliam, enjoys helping customers put together a look that flatters. Impeccably dressed and accessorized herself on Saturday, she credits the store with furnishing much of her wardrobe.
“I get lots of compliments on my clothing and it all came from this store,” she said. “I have a lot of fun here. The volunteers are wonderful and have a great sense of humor.”
Naila Francis: 215-345-3149; email: nfrancis@calkins.com; Twitter: @Naila_Francis.
