Announcing the Grand Reopening of Junior League of Long Island Thrift Shop
April 28, 2022 ROSLYN, NY – The Junior League of Long Island (JLLI) is proud to announce the reopening of their beloved Thrift Shop (located at 1395 Old Northern Boulevard in Roslyn Village), after the historic building has been under emergency closure since suffering severe damage as the result of Hurricane Ida on September 1, 2021. Events include:
· Friday, April 29th at 5:15 PM – Ribbon Cutting ceremony hosted by the Roslyn Chamber of Commerce, of which the Thrift Shop is a proud member. Come get a sneak peek at the newly renovated space.
· Saturday, April 30th at 11:00 AM – JLLI will host a ‘Back to Business’ Opening Ceremony for the entire community. Explore the new store and shop our freshly stocked collection of impressive donated merchandise.
This past Fall’s drastic weather event caused a surge of water over eight feet that completely decimated the lower and main level of the Thrift Shop. Over 75% of the store’s inventory was literally swept away in the waters. An unprecedented clean-up effort quickly ensued leading to extensive reparations, repairs and a complete renovation. The cost of repairs to date is over $300,000.00 not including losses due to store closure and halted donation collection.
Since its establishment in 1951, the donation-based Thrift Shop has become a well-known retail treasure and is historically the non-profit organization’s largest annual fundraiser. “We are extremely fortunate to own and operate such a successful shop in the beloved Village of Roslyn. It would not be possible without the incredible donations we get daily from the community. We pride ourselves that every dollar is put back into the LI community,” states current JLLI President Carol Rodriguez St. Jacques. All proceeds from the store are used to fund community service projects benefitting the women and children of Long Island.
Along with a great team of professionals, the volunteer members of the non-profit organization have worked tirelessly over the past eight months to bring the store back to life and back to the community. JLLI would like to thank those who’s expertise has helped along the way, including Christopher Cooper LLC for its help reimagining our merchandising to ensure the perfect shopping experience, while honoring both the building’s and organization’s history. The JLLI has worked closely with the Roslyn Landmarks Society and the Village’s Historic District Board to maintain the iconic landmark’s façade.
“We have missed our friends, neighbors and community immensely,” continues St. Jacques. “The support we have received throughout this process has been truly humbling and we look forward to welcoming everyone back inside our doors!” For more details on the repairs, store reopening, and JLLI happenings – please visit www.jlli.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @JuniorLeagueLI
About the Junior League of Long Island® The Junior League of Long Island is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Tracing its origins to 1951, the Junior League of Long Island has nearly 200 members in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Headquartered in the Village of Roslyn, the Junior League of Long Island is affiliated with the Association of Junior Leagues International® an organization of 293 Leagues throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and England. The Junior League of Long Island is designated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
History of 1395 Old Northern Boulevard – The building was originally built in 1856, making it one of Roslyn Village’s prized historic structures. This building was originally the Benjamin Hicks Lumber Office and in 1911 became the Conklin, Tubby & Conklin Lumber Office. When JLLI (then known as the North Shore Service League) purchased the property in 1959, it had since been turned into the “Wash and Wilt with Sid and Milt” Laundromat. The first floor consisting of the “Sid and Milt”, a set of tubs in the basement, and a dancing school on the second floor. Acquiring the services of The Phillips Foundation, in 1961, the building was restored by architect Edward Weeks resulting in the structure that stands today. The all-female volunteers of JLLI diligently worked to completely refurbish the inside of the building. Giving new meaning to the term “Womanpower,” they painted, cleaned, moved furniture and decorated to make 1395 Old Northern Boulevard a true “home” for the future of The Junior League of Long Island.