Hospital shrift shop moves downtown
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Thrift shop
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conjures up images of dusty bins filled with out-of-date junk in
the minds of many people.
Hospital shrift shop moves downtown
“Thrift shop” conjures up images of dusty bins filled with out-of-date junk in the minds of many people.
That preconception certainly does not match what browsers are discovering at Hazel’s, a new used goods boutique on San Benito Street at Hawkins. Smart displays and an eclectic mixture of merchandise invite shopping. An entire room in the 5,000 square foot space is devoted to bargain books. Clothing, furniture, appliances and a scattering of antiques fill out most of the rest of the floor space.
Located in a beige building ringed with picture windows and awnings, Hazel’s may be new, but it has a long history.
Hazel’s is Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary’s business. Proceeds from sales go toward scholarships “and we also buy equipment or things needed at the hospital,” said Susan Bryant, an auxiliary volunteer for the past three years.
Hazel’s runs entirely with the support of unpaid volunteers. That’s why its hours are limited. While donations are accepted Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the store is only open to shoppers on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
“It’s amazing how much time and effort people give, but we always need more,” Bryant said. With enough additional help, the auxiliary hopes eventually to open on Thursdays as well.
The auxiliary thrift shop operated for many years from a small space to the rear of Hazel Hawkins Hospital, off Sunset Drive.
“It became necessary when the hospital started construction,” Bryant said.
In addition to the hospital’s expansion, the need for more room pushed the store from its free space to the rented site downtown.
While the new space means there are more bills to pay, it’s been a sound investment so far.
“The first day it was open, we took in $2,700,” said Gordon Machado, a member of the hospital district board of directors.
Sales have remained high, especially considering that most items are priced quite low.
“Typically before, in a good week, would be about $2,000. We’ve almost tripled that,” Bryant said.
Donated goods are sorted. What Hazel’s cannot use is in turn donated to Goodwill. Pricing at Hazel’s is what one might expect to encounter at a thrift store.
“We wanted to stay under Salvation Army or Goodwill so our prices are competitive,” Bryant said. The goal is to offer high quality items to people from all income levels.
While some lower income families depend on Hazel’s for school clothes, other people shop it for antiques and collectibles.
“Now we can do furniture, which is a big plus,” Bryant said. “And now we have room to do displays.”
Volunteer Bryant said she’s a regular in the book department, always returning titles for resale when she’s done.
The new location also has increased donations, due to its greater visibility. The store, located diagonally across from the San Benito Street 7-Eleven, in some ways is returning to the hospital’s earliest roots.
Hazel Hawkins Hospital’s was first located at the corner of Hawkins and Monterey streets, just a block away. The historic hospital building was converted into offices after the hospital moved to its Sunset Drive location in the early 1960s.
