St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is nearly impossible to miss as a University of Maryland student. Smack dab in the middle of College Avenue, among sorority chapters and run-down residencies occupied and always poorly maintained by students, St. Andrew’s provides College Park with a historic, beautifully crafted example of architecture. While the church may be a prominent part of the community, few know about its relatively hidden thrift shop, perhaps due to its bizarre hours. The thrift shop is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, as well as on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tucked away below the ground level on the corner of College and Princeton avenues, the church’s thrift shop has long provided necessary funding as well as dirt-cheap prices on essential items for the community.
(Photo by Cameron Neimand)
“The interesting thing about the thrift store is it’s been here in the church for 60-some years,” volunteer Linda Limberger said. “Sixty-five years at least.”
Limberger, a 10-year volunteer at the thrift shop, has been going to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for 50 years. She works alongside three other volunteers in the thrift shop, one being Dorothy Friedman, a former employee of the College Park City Council. Friedman’s connection to the shop started during her working days.
“Every Thursday, if I didn’t have something really important due, I’d come here and shop,” Friedman said. “I knew that I wanted to work here.”
There is an ample and affordable selection of items in the thrift shop. Shelves lined with books offer unbelievably generous prices, with paperback books going for 25 cents and hardcover options marked for 50 cents. There’s the occasional find in the clothing section, such as a vintage Baltimore Ravens jacket and Maryland alumni hats. Kids’ clothes are a steal, with coats going for no more than $3 and jeans for just $2. Also, a selection of children’s toys makes gift giving possible for lower-income families. Bracelets, earrings and necklaces are all available for just $1 unless otherwise marked, as well as $2 handbags fit for all your essential college belongings. With discounted plates, glasses, pots and sheets, the thrift shop offers the type of items that turn a house into a home.
(Photo by Cameron Neimand)
As with any thrift shop, the major incentive to come is for the awesomely random miscellaneous items. Golf clubs go for $4 and cages possibly for birds or hamsters or, well, I don’t know I was always more of a dog person, are nestled in a corner. Save yourself the trip to perennially over-priced Best Buy, as the thrift shop offers HP brand printers for just $15. I found a vintage Argus camera, complete with a stylish leather case for just $5. Additionally, there’s sure to be a steal or two in the aforementioned jewelry section, yet I can’t offer a true appraisal as my knowledge in that field is akin to the thrift shop’s prices: very low.
The thrift shop at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is a must-stop trip for any financially struggling student, and hey, who the hell isn’t finding their wallet empty as McKeldin on a Friday night during their four years in College Park? The volunteers are extremely kind, and have a genuine passion and love for the service they provide for the community. With all proceeds benefiting the various programs of the church, you shouldn’t feel guilty about spending a dollar or so during your thrifty expedition. So, next time you find yourself awake at the early hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., make a trip to the thrift shop at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (just please don’t post any Instagram pictures with Macklemore lyric captions in the process).
