×
×
homepage logo

Better than Rummage: Sale features vintage wares, supports Shepherdstown Shares

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Oct 22, 2021

Evolve co-owner Jan Hafer, right, walks through the Better than Rummage Sale as Pennsylvania residents Kathryn Accetturo and Alan Kuminkoski check out some of the items on display on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — This year, in the midst of product shortages due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Evolve has chosen to highlight the fact that shoppers at any of its pop-up shops do not have to worry about running into a similar shortage there.

According to co-owner Elise Baach, the concept is best encapsulated in the slogan framed in the shop’s front window, “No supply chain issues here. Buy local. Reuse.”

“We’d been hearing on the news about supply chain problems with all kinds of goods, such as lumber and cat food. We just realized you don’t have to worry about that with the local items we sell!” Baach said on Thursday, as she set up the shop for the Better than Rummage Sale, held in the space from Friday through Sunday.

The sale itself, held by Baach and co-owner Jan Hafer, supported the slogan’s concept even further, as it featured used quality goods that needed a new home. Most of the items came from the homes of Baach and Hafer, or that of their family members. Items ranged in variety from copper warming trays to Halloween decor, which sold particularly fast, Baach said. In fact, in the first day of being open, the sale had to be closed early, so it could be restocked with items that had been left in storage.

“Our first day was great!” Baach said. “A lot of people have come from out of town, who love Shepherdstown.”

A collection of French perfume bodies stand on display in the Better than Rummage Sale in Evolve Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

Hafer also noted the unanticipated success of the sale of items, which were truly “another man’s treasure.”

“They just love it! They just keep coming in,” Hafer said on Saturday afternoon.

A number of reasons could be attributed to the sale’s success. First, the high-quality items on sale were listed well below market value. Second, half of the sale’s proceeds were going to be donated to Shepherdstown Shares, in anticipation of its financial needs this holiday season, when it will be giving out holiday meal boxes to those in the 25443 zip code area in need. And third, the limited time period aspect of a pop-up shop made it more likely for those interested in such a sale to show up within the sale’s limited time frame.

“We really hope these items go to homes of people that want them! And we’d also like to make a lot of many for Shepherdstown Shares,” Baach said. “There are many worthy causes in Shepherdstown, but coming into the holiday season, we thought it would be the best recipient of the profits from this sale.”

Due to interest already expressed by the community, Baach noted the rummage sale would likely become an annual fundraising event, for which community members could donate quality items they no longer have use for.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is played on a vintage television in the Better than Rummage Sale in Evolve on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston