After being closed for nearly eight months, the Junior League of Long Island’s Thrift Shop in Roslyn, a cherished community pillar that had suffered significant damage resulting from hurricane Ida, opened its doors on April 29 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Roslyn Chamber of Commerce*. The storm had caused damage valued at $250,000 and a loss of over 75% of inventory.

At the ribbon-cutting, many friends and community members were in attendance. From the Greater Roslyn Chamber of Commerce, the following people were present: Rich Branciforte; President Barbara Kaplan, VP, Marketing and Public Relations; and Chamber Board Members Wayne Wink, Phil Hershkowitz, Melissa Spitalnick, Garnet Ardila, Jim Zanfardino, and Graciela Hall, who is also the Thrift Shop chair. Chamber members Kate Lumetta, Mimi Howard, Elisa Bonavita, Sydney Gordon, and Jeryl Sletteland were also there. Politicians in attendance were Jennifer DeSena, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor; Peter Zuckerman, Town of North Hempstead Councilman; and Betsy Golan from Sen. Anna Kaplan’s office.

The Thrift Shop has been operating in the Village of Roslyn since 1962 and has stood the test of time in the ever-changing landscape of surrounding neighborhood businesses at 1395 Old Northern. Boulevard. It also houses the Headquarters of the Junior League of Long Island. The building dates to 1856 and was originally the Benjamin Hicks Lumber Office and then later the Conklin, Tubby and Conklin Lumber office, followed by a laundromat and a dance school until 1959, when the “founding mothers” of the North Shore Service League bought the property in conjunction with the Phillips Foundation. In 1961, the building was restored by architect Edward Weeks resulting in the structure of today. In 1962 the North Shore Service League officially became a part of the Association of Junior Leagues International.

Through the help and support of the Restoration Committee, made up of Junior League members, the repairs and upgrades to the over 150-year-old building were completed last week. Christopher Cooper, an interior designer working with the membership, helped redesign and reimagine the floor layout and gave the Shop a totally new look keeping in mind its historical background.
“It is because of The Junior League of Long Island Thrift Shop, that our volunteers are equipped with the resources needed to complete various projects, workshops and give support to under-served communities throughout Long Island and also enable us to develop and train our volunteers throughout the years,” said League President Carol St. Jacques in a statement thanking the community for their help during the tough times.

Submitted by,
Graciela Hall and Barbara Kaplan