By Ruth Haesemeyer
ruthh@neighborsgo.com

You might find The Civic League Boutique’s offerings at many women’s shops ― designer clothing, vintage hats and antique knick knacks.

But what you probably wouldn’t find are the low prices that support a good cause.

The Carrollton boutique, which benefits Metrocrest Social Services, a nonprofit agency serving Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell and a portion of Denton County, made its debut June 5, bringing in more than $600 in sales during three hours of business.

“It was just a constant flow of people all day long,” said Becky Miller, The Civic League’s community service chair for the year.

An offshoot of Metrocrest Thrift Store, the resale shop offers high-end clothing and accessories; and antiques donated to the thrift shop and directly to the boutique. These are sold at higher prices ― though good ones, Miller said ― than they would be at the thrift store. Sales benefit MSS, which offers emergency assistance, seasonal aid and more to clients.

Bunny Summerlin, executive director of MSS, said the concept saves time for shoppers, who no longer have to dig through thrift store items to find such gems. It also helps donors to feel good about donating high-end items, which can now be sold closer to their value, rather than at thrift store prices.

“They want to see the agency have the benefit of reselling something that is a little more high quality merchandise,” Summerlin said.

After hearing of the concept from similar agencies in Allen and Rockwall, Summerlin asked The Civic League, which serves the communities of Carrollton, Farmers Branch and Addison, to consider organizing and managing a boutique. It is now the group’s community service project for the year.

Miller said the members have really gotten behind it, donating items and volunteering to help.

“It’s really been a project of love,” she said.

Miller said they are glad to be able to help an agency that helps so many, especially during a difficult time.

“People just aren’t donating the money,” she said.

While it is still barley underway, Summerlin said the boutique has already benefited MSS.

“We believe that it’s helped raise the awareness of the community of our thrift store in general,” she said.

Miller said the store may eventually be open during additional hours and days. She said the league is committed to run the store through December.

“We feel that this is another way that we can give back to the community,” she said.

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The Civic League Boutique
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays
Location: 1103 S. Josey Lane, Suite 100 (next to RadioShack)
Benefits: Metrocrest Social Services
Donations: Taken at the back of the boutique during operating hours and at the rear of Metrocrest Thrift Store, located at 1103 S. Josey Ln., Suite 114. Designate that donations are for the boutique when dropping items off at the thrift store.
For more information, call 972-418-1900 or visit metrocrestsocialservices.org.

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Giving group
The Civic League, which serves Carrollton, Farmers Branch and Addison, supports the communities through civic grants and scholarships for graduating high school students.
The league’s Annual Civic League Home Tour raises funds for these contributions. This year’s event will be Nov. 12-13.
For more information, visit thecivicleague.org.

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Ruth Haesemeyer is the Carrollton/Farmers Branch/Addison neighborsgo editor and can be reached at ruthh@neighborsgo.com or 214-977-8024.