Shopping for Treasures at the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique

olympia thrift store
Olympia-area volunteers Mel and Carol Hill have given decades of service to the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique and helped start the Olympia store. Here they stand with Olympia store manager Chad Reboin.
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By Gale Hemmann

olympia thrift store
Olympia-area volunteers Mel and Carol Hill have given decades of service to the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique and helped start the Olympia store. Here they stand with Olympia store manager Chad Reboin.

The Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutiques are stores with a heart. Walking in to the West Olympia location, you are greeted by friendly volunteers, a lovingly set up display of items, and the knowledge that your purchase is helping a good cause. From clothing to housewares, you can find almost anything you need at the store – and you’ll have fun browsing.

One day, I stopped by the store to learn more about what they offer shoppers. I was honored to visit on day of their 15th anniversary celebration of the Olympia store.

What sets the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutiques apart is that all of their net proceeds benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital. The hospital provides medical care for kids in our region, regardless of the family’s ability to pay, reaching many children who could not otherwise afford care. They have a long-standing clinic right here in Olympia.

Nearly every volunteer I talked with had a personal connection to the medical facility through children who have received care there. And it shows in the day-to-day operations of the store. The store is staffed by about 60 dedicated volunteers (there are two paid staff members) who contribute a total of over 700 hours of service a month.

olympia thrift store
Linda Wolfe is the President of the Garfield Guild of the Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Thurston-Mason Representative. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the hospital’s work.

So, what can you find at the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique? Simply put – quality merchandise.  They carry in-season clothing and shoes for children and adults (including name-brand items), furniture and household goods, jewelry, books and collectibles. All the merchandise is hand-sorted by volunteers to make sure it is in good condition. The boutique is well-organized and easy to shop. As their website states, “We are not your typical thrift store but, rather, we are your bargain boutique.”

Stopping by this store was a warm and welcoming experience. And it’s a win-win situation: when you shop at Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique, you are not only getting beautiful items at great prices, but you are supporting an important mission.

The Store’s History: Fifteen Years of Service

Since opening in 1999, the Olympia store has worked tirelessly to serve the community. One of six boutiques across Western Washington, the Olympia location has actually been housed in three locations. It was formerly located in downtown Olympia and another location on the West Side before opening at its current location (2020 Harrison Avenue) about a year ago.

During my visit, I saw what makes the boutique such a special place, and why they have so many loyal shoppers. I enjoyed chatting with the many volunteers. One volunteer I talked to, Susan Gibbs, told me that she enjoyed volunteering at the boutique so much she has gone from having one weekly shift to three in the past year. “It’s like coming to see your friends at work every day,” she says of the environment.

olympia thrift store
Two volunteers price incoming merchandise in the back of the store. Over 60 volunteers contribute to the store’s success.

At the celebration, I got to meet two long-time volunteers who helped start the Olympia store, Mel and Carol Hill. After their son was treated at Seattle Children’s Hospital as an infant, they decided to put decades of volunteering into supporting its work. They helped the Olympia store get up and running, and Carol is the former Thurston-Mason Representative for the hospital’s volunteer network of guilds. Mel was voted Volunteer of the Year one year. While they are both modest about their accomplishments, it’s clear that the Hills are happy to see the Olympia store blossom into a well-shopped, well-loved place. Looking around at the full house and many smiles, Mel notes, “I just feel good walking in here.”

As I took in the celebration, I could tell that all the volunteers were incredibly proud of not just the store, but what it means to them. I got to talk with Linda Wolfe, a dedicated volunteer who currently serves as the Mason/Thurston Representative. She told me that her fundraising work with Seattle Children’s Hospital is deeply rewarding, and that she was honored to be at the fifteenth anniversary event.

The store’s two paid staff, Chad Reboin and Shirley Radebaugh, are happy to be here as well. Reboin is the store manager and Radebaugh is a customer service associate. While both are proud of the Olympia store’s accomplishments, they are quick to point out that the tireless volunteers are what really make the store such a special place to be.

Planning a Trip to the Bargain Boutique

olympia thrift store
From name-brand fashion to children’s toys and collectibles, the Olympia branch of the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique offers plenty of treasures for budget-savvy shoppers.

Ready to find some bargains? You’ll want to plan a trip to the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique soon. Whether it’s back-to-school shopping for the kids, a new outfit for yourself, or just a few finishing touches for your home, you’ll be surprised at what great values you find. Need something to wear for work or a special occasion? You can pick up designer outfits here at a fraction of the retail cost. And if you like collectibles, you’ll want to stop by frequently to see what’s new.

The store is open seven days a week, and there is ample parking. The smiling volunteers will be ready to greet you and help you find what you need.

One thing’s for sure. They have a new loyal shopper and supporter in me. I’ll be back soon.

The boutique is stocked entirely by donations from the community. You can also support the store by donating salable items in good condition. They are always open to great volunteers who want to lend their time and talents, too.

Another fun idea for corporate events or special occasions is to host a vintage fashion show. The Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique will help coordinate a show that features over 100 years of fashion styles. The volunteers and staff at the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique thank the generosity of the West Olympia community for the wonderful-quality donations the store receives.

olympia thrift store
Get ready to find bargains: Shopping at the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique is guaranteed to find you some great items while supporting a good cause.

You can also learn more about the Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique on their website and follow them on Facebook.

Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutique

2020 Harrison Avenue NW

Olympia, WA 98502

Store Hours:

Monday through Friday – 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday – 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

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