A Trip Down Memory Lane: The History of CSS Thrift Store

Here’s a little walk down memory lane … 

The Thrift Store was founded in 1990 when the current Store Manager, Philomena Mooney, and then Director of Catholic Social Services of Augusta, Sister Noreen Dennehy, MFIC, started a monthly yard sale to benefit Catholic Social Services of Augusta’s mission. 

Sr. Noreen Dennehy, MFIC

Parishioners from local area churches would donate household goods and clothing items and Philomena and Sister Noreen would display and stage them in the back parking lot of St. Mary’s on the Hill Church. Yard sale shoppers were able to purchase everything they could fit in a paper bag for just one dollar. 

The yard sale was not only helping fund Catholic Social Services of Augusta’s mission, but it was also providing the less fortunate with a place to purchase gently used goods at a fraction of the cost. Recognizing the growing popularity and increased demand, Sister Noreen and Philomena set out to make the yard sale a permanent Thrift Store. 

The parking lot where the Arsenal house used to stand. (1990-1993)

From its humble yard sale beginnings, Sister Noreen was able to negotiate the use of a small blue home on Arsenal Avenue. The Thrift Store would operate in the Arsenal location until 1993 when it was, unfortunately, burned down. What happened to the Thrift Store that night will never really be known, but we have a sneaking suspicion it had to do with a new pair of socks and a not-so-happy camper. 

Nonetheless, a new and bigger location on Central Avenue was found, in which the Thrift Store would remain through 2000. Philomena has fond memories of her four children walking from school to the Thrift Store, where they would do homework, hang clothes, and even run the cash register. 

The Central Avenue store (1993-2000)

As the Thrift Store continued to grow, it was time — yet again — to start looking for a bigger building. In 2000, the store would move to Broad Street where it would remain for over twenty years. The larger location allowed the store to start accepting larger furniture donations, hire a few part-time staff positions, and more. 

The Broad Street store (2000-2020)

L-R; Kathleen Cook (CSS Board Member); Sharon and Jerry Baine; Sr. Janet Roddy, MFIC (Executive Director, CSS); Philomena Mooney (Thrift Store Manager)

However, after more than thirty years of renting buildings, it was time to start looking for our own. Thanks to the generous time and talent of Jerry and Sharon Baine, we purchased our brand new location on Wrightsboro Road in early 2020 and began a full renovation. 

Located on the corner of North Leg Road and Wrightsboro Road — less than one mile east of the Augusta Mall — the new store boasts over 17,000 square feet and is completely remodeled to our exact specifications.

Store Manager, Philomena Mooney, receiving keys to the new building.

The new store also offers easy drive-up access for donations and ample, well-lit parking for customers. Being along Augusta Transit’s Pink Line is an added benefit for local area shoppers. 

There is no doubt that the new store will help us continue our mission, and we look forward to the many years to come at 3229 Wrightsboro Road.