What began as “just something for a couple of women to do” has turned into a profitable operation. The Edgecomb Thrift Shop donates thousands of dollars each year to several  nonprofit agencies in Midcoast Maine. In 2004, Louise Hardina of Newcastle and Gloria Bailey of Edgecomb converted Edgecomb Congregational Church's old kitchen space into a thrift store.

The women cleaned and painted the old kitchen and later sorted and washed donated materials in preparation for sale. The store opened in November 2004, and it didn't take long for regular clientele — from Boothbay to Bath — to appear in the new store. Shoppers arrive each week looking for bargains on clothing, housewares, lamps, shoes, toys, puzzles, jewelry and books. Clothing prices range from 25 cents to $2. Other items such as set of dishes may cost $12-$15, according to Hardina.

“It's really what I think a thrift shop should be,” Hardina said. “It's a place where you can go and get really good stuff and pay next to nothing.”

The thrift shop is located on 15 Point Cross Point Road in Edgecomb. The store opens twice a week from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The shop’s expenses are low because it sells items received through donations and uses a volunteer staff. When the store began, Hardina and Bailey were joined by two other volunteers. Veula Reed of Edgecomb, who was in her nineties when she started working at the shop, died last year. The fourth member is Rose Young of Edgecomb.

The newest member is Joan Spurgat of Edgecomb who works on Thursday afternoons. The volunteers dedicated service results in generating over $8,000 per year in revenue. The thrift shop donates all proceeds to local nonprofits, Hardina said. 

When the thrift shop started, the workers didn't anticipate generating much revenue. When the money started accumulating, the volunteers decided to put their unexpected windfall to good use.

“We give it all away,” Hardina said. “We didn't really expect to make any money, but when we did, we decided to give it back to the community.”

The Edgecomb Thrift Shop makes annual donations to local food pantries, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Mid-Coast Maine, New Hope for Women, Healthy Kids and Spectrum Generations. Hardina also serves on the Boothbay Region Community Resources board of directors. When the board receives a financial assistance request, she often provides a donation using thrift shop funds.

“Whether it’s a request to pay an electric or fuel bill, someone on the BRCR board usually donates money,” Hardina said. “So when the board receives a request, the thrift shop is usually able to donate $150 or so to help cover a bill.”

The women also have another use for the shop's proceeds. Each Tuesday, the shop serves a hot meal. The tradition began as the four original workers would each bring in a dish to share for lunch. But they found it difficult to sit down and eat because the shop had customers needing assistance.

“Finally, we just had to ask them to join us,” Hardina said. “We now have between 12-40 diners each week. And the meal before Thanksgiving is a great big turkey dinner. That will usually draw about 50 people.”

The lunch typically includes a hot dish such as baked beans served with a choice of cole slaw, salads, rolls, coffee and pie. The meal is free, but donations are accepted. Hardina estimates it costs about $2 to serve each diner.

Bailey said the community lunch is a staple for several regulars who enjoy having a good meal and nice conversation.

“Diners usually arrive around 11:30 a.m. to get a head start on the conversation,” Bailey said. “It's pretty popular. If you're not here by quarter past 12 then forget it. Everyone wants to eat at noon, and if you wait too long you're going to be out of luck.”

Edgecomb resident Shirley Cote said she began coming for the lunch, but she'll usually shops afterwards.

“I enjoy the lunch and talking to everybody there,” she said. “But I usually take a good look around to see what’s new. They have a nice assortment of jewelry here and I like their puzzles, too.”

The thrift shop also participates in other community fundraising events. In July, the shop raised $600 during its iris sale. On August 9, it will hold its annual bake sale in conjunction with the Five Mile Yard Sale in Edgecomb. The shop donates the bake sale proceeds into a  Boothbay peninsula fuel assistance fund.