Aggie's Attic - a Richmond, Virginia Thrift Store with a Mission

Agnes Dalton is a woman on a mission! Pun intended here! Aggie's Attic, a thrift store located in Laurel Park Shopping Center in Richmond, VA, is officially a "Mission Project of Laurel Park United Methodist Church" on Hungary Road. But this thrift store is Aggie's "baby" birthed in her mind and heart and given life because of her determination and response to a vision she just couldn't ignore.

Agnes greeted me the day I stopped in for the first time. She's a warm and talkative grandma-type with a feisty streak a mile wide. She explained that she had a dream of serving her community through the church. She shared her dream with her church family and initially received "mixed support." There was a financial risk involved and the congregation wasn't one of the larger, well-financed Christian churches in the West End of Richmond.

But Agnes persisted and, with the support of her pastor, she eventually convinced church leadership to support her dream on a trial basis. A store front in Laurel Park Shopping Center was rented on a one-year lease, donations were collected, volunteers were recruited and in October 2009, Aggie's Attic opened for business.

What's so unique about Aggie's Attic? All the workers are volunteers and all the profits go directly back into the surrounding community. During October, the first month of operation, Aggie's Attic donated $200 to Henrico Christmas Mother, $100 each to two families at Longdale Elementary school and Maude Trevett Elementary school as well as $43 savings for a scholarship fund.

November and December yielded an even greater benefit to area residents. With a total profit of just under $900 in November Aggies Attic distributed : $200 to Henrico Christmas Mother, $100 each to two families at Holladay Elementary school and Lakeside Elementary school and $200 to Lambs Basket-a Henrico County local food pantry plus $89 to a scholarship fund. December's donations totaled over $900.

By the end of 2009, after only 3 months in operation, Aggies Attic had donated over $2300 to help those in need in Henrico County including coats donated to local coat drive for kids, shoes for an overseas mission by Juma Semakula and items to Crump Nursing Home and Hilliard House. Clothes have been donated to the homeless, books given to the local library, and itemsprovided to Henrico County Family Services.

The store is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. You'll see Aggie there on many Saturdays, serving as ambassador, greeting customers and overseeing the ever growing staff of volunteers and sorting donations.

Not only does Aggie's Attic accept donations of books, clothes and household items, they also welcome Campbell's Soup labels and Box Tops for Education, donations of non-perishable food items and cash.

On the last Saturday of each month all clothing is on sale for 50% off. Plus buy two items and get a third item free when you donate a non-perishable food item to "The Lamb's Basket."

If you care to make a donation, call (804) 262-5054 or (804) 922-9385. Donations can be dropped off on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am - 4 pm and on Saturdays from 9am - 3 pm.

When you stop by, look for Aggie. Tell her you read about the thrift store here!