CRANFORD –The Jumble Store, a non-profit thrift store, located at 110 Walnut Ave. in Cranford, is celebrating its 80th Anniversary of serving the community. The store is owned and operated by the Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield and serves to raise the necessary funds for the league’s charitable programs.
The store was established in October 1933 when it became a permanent, “real” business for the organization then known as “The Junior Service League.” Leading up to the formation of the league’s “real business”, the League held semi-annual “old clothes sales” which rapidly grew into a year-round store.
In the store’s original conception, it was titled “The Nearly New Shop” and was located at 13 Eastman St. in Cranford. The name changed to “The Jumble Store” prior to 1933 when a league’s member’s Scottish maid referred to the store by the name given to such shops in her homeland.
The store moved to its present location in 1976. A 2 ½ story addition was put on the building by the Junior League in 1984, and is almost doubled the store’s square footage.
When it first opened, a portion of the store’s profit was used to provide direct welfare to local residents for milk, food, rent, and medical bills. Today, the money earned from the store goes to the Junior League’s community service projects and programs, which are focused on helping families in need throughout Union County.
In 1933 the Jumble Store’s total receipts for the year were $1, 358.56. In 2012 the store raised $69,491 for the community.
The Jumble Store will be “Salebrating” their 80th Anniversary during “Jumble Store Week,” Oct. 22 through 26. There will be special discounts, sales, and contests throughout the week along with a “Sip ‘n Shop” where customers can enjoy light refreshments while they shop on Thursday, Oct. 24, and a Holiday Kick-Off on Saturday, Oct. 26.
To find out about these events and stay connected to the Jumble Store, “like” The Jumble Store on Facebook facebook.com/thejumblestore and follow the store on Twitter @jlepjumblestore. For more information on the Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield visit www.jlepnj.org.