Bethlehem Centers of Nashville Celebrates Grand Re-Opening of The Shopping Bag Community Thrift Store, June 18, 2009, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
June 18 ceremony to celebrate new space and renovations made possible through a Tennessee State University grant
Nashville, Tenn. – Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, a social service agency promoting self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youths and adults in Middle Tennessee, will celebrate the grand re-opening of The Shopping Bag on Thursday, June 18 from 2 – 4 p.m. at 1417 Charlotte Avenue. The Shopping Bag is a unique secondhand store that sells gently used clothing items and accessories for men, women and children. The store closed in 2007 to move into an expanded, renovated location within the Bethlehem Centers facility.
The grand re-opening ceremony will feature a ribbon cutting, welcome reception and tour of the new store. Bethlehem Centers President and CEO Joyce Espy Searcy will speak, and several local community supporters and business leaders will also be on hand.
“We are thrilled to open the Bethlehem Centers’ new and improved Shopping Bag store, which provides affordable clothing to local families and helps fund vital community services at the Bethlehem Centers,” Searcy said. “Thanks to a generous grant through Tennessee State University, we have a beautiful, renovated store, and we welcome everyone to visit The Shopping Bag and find a great bargain.”
The renovations in The Shopping Bag’s new location, which include new windows, an attractive blue awning with the store’s logo and a larger space to sort and hang clothing, were made possible by a grant secured by Tennessee State University (TSU). In 2005, TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement was awarded a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) grant program. This program is designed to assist HBCUs in expanding their role in effectively addressing community development needs in their localities, which includes neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development, principally for people of low- and moderate-income.
“I am delighted that TSU could support the good works of Bethlehem Centers of Nashville by creating an incredible retail space that will provide quality resale items for the community,” said Ginger Hausser Pepper, Assistant Director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement at TSU. “Not only have the grant funds created a great space, but our students, staff, and faculty have donated items, created marketing plans, provided interior design ideas, and volunteered to assist in the grand re-opening of the store.”
The Shopping Bag was founded in 1981 by a group of United Methodist Church women who began collecting donated clothing and household items in their homes. They made arrangements with Bethlehem Centers of Nashville to use the Centers’ basement as a resale shop, and The Shopping Bag was created. With its new space, the Shopping Bag is focused on reinvigorating sales and continuing to support the work and mission of the Bethlehem Centers of Nashville.
The Shopping Bag is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The store is in need of volunteers and gently used clothing, shoes and accessories for all ages. Clothing should be cleaned and on hangers. No other items will be accepted. Drop-off days are Monday and Wednesday. All donations should be delivered to 1417 Charlotte Avenue. For more information or to donate items or volunteer at The Shopping Bag, please call (615) 329-3386.
About Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville is a non-profit social service agency that promotes self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youths and adults in Middle Tennessee. Delivering and advocating quality programs and services since 1894, Bethlehem Centers is a National Mission Institution of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Bethlehem Centers operates facilities in north, south and downtown Nashville. Its main campus is at 1417 Charlotte Avenue. For more information about Bethlehem Centers, visit www.bethlehemcenters.org or call 615-329-3386.
Nashville, Tenn. – Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, a social service agency promoting self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youths and adults in Middle Tennessee, will celebrate the grand re-opening of The Shopping Bag on Thursday, June 18 from 2 – 4 p.m. at 1417 Charlotte Avenue. The Shopping Bag is a unique secondhand store that sells gently used clothing items and accessories for men, women and children. The store closed in 2007 to move into an expanded, renovated location within the Bethlehem Centers facility.
The grand re-opening ceremony will feature a ribbon cutting, welcome reception and tour of the new store. Bethlehem Centers President and CEO Joyce Espy Searcy will speak, and several local community supporters and business leaders will also be on hand.
“We are thrilled to open the Bethlehem Centers’ new and improved Shopping Bag store, which provides affordable clothing to local families and helps fund vital community services at the Bethlehem Centers,” Searcy said. “Thanks to a generous grant through Tennessee State University, we have a beautiful, renovated store, and we welcome everyone to visit The Shopping Bag and find a great bargain.”
The renovations in The Shopping Bag’s new location, which include new windows, an attractive blue awning with the store’s logo and a larger space to sort and hang clothing, were made possible by a grant secured by Tennessee State University (TSU). In 2005, TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement was awarded a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) grant program. This program is designed to assist HBCUs in expanding their role in effectively addressing community development needs in their localities, which includes neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development, principally for people of low- and moderate-income.
“I am delighted that TSU could support the good works of Bethlehem Centers of Nashville by creating an incredible retail space that will provide quality resale items for the community,” said Ginger Hausser Pepper, Assistant Director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement at TSU. “Not only have the grant funds created a great space, but our students, staff, and faculty have donated items, created marketing plans, provided interior design ideas, and volunteered to assist in the grand re-opening of the store.”
The Shopping Bag was founded in 1981 by a group of United Methodist Church women who began collecting donated clothing and household items in their homes. They made arrangements with Bethlehem Centers of Nashville to use the Centers’ basement as a resale shop, and The Shopping Bag was created. With its new space, the Shopping Bag is focused on reinvigorating sales and continuing to support the work and mission of the Bethlehem Centers of Nashville.
The Shopping Bag is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The store is in need of volunteers and gently used clothing, shoes and accessories for all ages. Clothing should be cleaned and on hangers. No other items will be accepted. Drop-off days are Monday and Wednesday. All donations should be delivered to 1417 Charlotte Avenue. For more information or to donate items or volunteer at The Shopping Bag, please call (615) 329-3386.
About Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville is a non-profit social service agency that promotes self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youths and adults in Middle Tennessee. Delivering and advocating quality programs and services since 1894, Bethlehem Centers is a National Mission Institution of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Bethlehem Centers operates facilities in north, south and downtown Nashville. Its main campus is at 1417 Charlotte Avenue. For more information about Bethlehem Centers, visit www.bethlehemcenters.org or call 615-329-3386.
