By Jane Seskin
I fingered the scarves spilling
from the large straw basket by
the cash register,
then made my
way to the back of the store
hoping to find a light raincoat
for the summer months, stopping
at the shoe rack to examine a pair
of beige sandals (too worn) and
black lace-up shoes (like new)
and OMG they had taps
on their soles and were my size!
With rising excitement,
I sat on a nearby bench and tied
sweet bows and was seven years
old.
Stood and raised my arms,
waved them from side-to-side,
took a few steps listening
to the taps and bowed
to the security guard watching my joy
and smiling at me.
I was a little girl with enthusiasm,
pride and dreams of dance recitals.
Today, today was my great good luck,
my kismet, my serendipity.
For $9.95,
I carried my memories
home.
Jane Seskin is a psychotherapist and poet living on the Upper West Side.
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That Goodwill is sorely missed. It’s important to have thrift shops in a neighborhood, and they are being priced out.
The Goodwill used to be on 79 St and the few that are left are expensive with much less interesting clothes.
Jody, it moved from 79th to 72nd years ago.
And rumor has it, a weed store is replacing it. SMH
And the Salvation Army store on West 96th has been completely obliterated by a (what else?) new high-rise, leaving both donators and bargain hunters in the lurch.
This is wonderful!
Nice. I used to find tons of great books there, some signed. It was fun going through stacks.
nice poem
Where can we donate on the west side now that we don’t have Goodwill?
Housing works is the last one standing that I’m aware of
A shame. Would any UWS historian know when that shop first opened? Was it in that 72nd st location in the 1980’s?
This is a nice article about the 72nd street branch opening in 2013. If you google Goodwill, there’s an interesting history, it originated in Boston in 1902, which was followed by Brooklyn in 1915.
https://nynjgoodwill.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/opening-this-week-the-72-street-uptown-goodwill-boutique/
There is also Central Park Re-Sale, mid-block on 66th, near CPW. They have three levels of shopping including a strictly consignment room: a nearly new or new clothes section; and the room in the back is more similar to Thrift store pricing.
Great job! Takes me back to my childhood and dreams of becoming a dancer.
That and the Goodwill on 79th St were the best thrift shops!!
Please give your donations to:
National Council of Jewish Women New York
241 West 72nd Street
New York, NY 10023
Telephone: 212.687.5030
Fax: 212.799.7283
Email: info@ncjwny.org
Many smaller items and close are given away to low-come people not sold.
I believe that NCJW of New York have a thrift shop at another location, where larger items including furniture can be donated and sold.
They are wonderful. They who help so many people in need by providing food and giving things away.
You can make monetary donations by going to their website: ncjwny.org
Someone asked where else we can donate on UWS. There is a store called Unique Boutique on Columbus between 83rd and 84th that is just like a thrift store, although I’m not sure if is for profit. I really don’t care, as it keeps many wonderful people employed! I donate there and shop there. They have a store on the UES as well. I’m here to spread the word, even though more exposure means you all might get to the bargains before me lol.
What a fun poem. Brings me back to my childhood. I took tap as a little girl and remember the delight of making clicky noises as I danced around. Thanks for the memory.
Also there is St. Francis Thrift Store. They moved from 96th St. to 97th and Amsterdam. Haven’t gone inside the new one, just dropped stuff off. No books. Check their website for hours, not open every day.
Second this. They’ve become my clothing donation go-to now since the 72nd st Goodwill closure.
I could feel your excitement in this lovely poem. And, I trust, you have been tapping away ever since. What wonderful memories you had of your youth. This is part of another book I hope. X0