This Mission-Driven Thrift Store In Alabama Is A Must-Do Whenever I Have Guests
By Lisa Battles|Published April 12, 2024
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
When I have guests in town, I make sure we do two things: get BBQ and go by Everyday Sunshine. People can’t believe the deals at this thrift store in Decatur, Alabama. Even better, it’s not just your everyday thrift store but a place where every purchase is for a purpose. The store is one initiative of the Everyday Sunshine non-profit, which has as its mission to “make the world a little more inclusive to those with disabilities.”
Everyday Sunshine Thrift is a bit off the beaten path in a mostly residential area of southeast Decatur. It's not too hard to find, though, only one mile directly east of one of the city's two major thoroughfares, Sixth Avenue. The store takes up the majority of a building on the GraceLife Church property, and you cannot miss it when you turn the corner onto 19th Ave. southeast.
Lisa Battles
Not only is the store an awesome place to find great deals on high-quality items, but it also provides meaningful work to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Everyday Sunshine founders Jeff (pictured below, left) and Andrea Sharp launched the nonprofit after more than a decade of experiences raising their first daughter, Amelie, now a teen. It started as a program to entertain kids at pediatric hospitals and events for children with disabilities.
The Sharps' interactions with other parents of kids with disabilities inspired them to find ways to help address needs within the community. An overwhelming concern for many parents is what activities their children can do once they complete school, Sharp has said. Did you know that almost 80% of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities are either unemployed or otherwise out of the workforce?
Lisa Battles
And so they launched the store, which opened in 2022. People with disabilities are matched to tasks they enjoy doing most for meaningful work. Students from a local high school's developmental program co-op also lend their services to the store.
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Now you know the backstory, let's take a peek at more of the merchandise, shall we? While I am one of many, many people who know the Sharps and support their organization's mission, I gotta tell you I'd shop at this store regardless.
Lisa Battles
I have always loved thrifting and antiquing. You'll never know what you'll find here. Plus, donated items are carefully sorted and curated so most of what you'll find here is consignment quality. A boutique section of women's clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories is the first spot I usually browse.
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Not into gently used clothing? You'll find many brand-new, never-worn items, too. Because people in the community know this is a family-run social enterprise, it's where most people think of first to bring nice and sometimes new things they just don't need.
Lisa Battles
Recently, an anonymous donor brought a truckload of new, name-brand boutique-quality clothing. A week or two later, a high-end interiors shop in the Bank Street Historic District donated several designer light fixtures and other decor items, which are offered for a steep discount below retail prices – I am talking more than 75% off.
And then there was the couple who donated the contents of an entire antique store last month! So the housewares section has been rotating these pieces as quickly as they're priced.
Lisa Battles
The shop also gets a lot of holiday and seasonal donations. If you stop by around the holidays, you may not need to buy a single new Christmas decoration again.
While it isn't huge compared to the mega thrift stores in shopping centers, the premium on space means the items have to be curated carefully. You won't find out-of-season clothes, and everything is priced to move quickly.
Lisa Battles
All items have color-coded tags, so keep an eye open for specials like when some colors are half off or only a dollar. There are usually well-marked dollar areas and rack sections around the store, too. This one calls moms over to the kids' clothing section fast. The most recent time I visited, over half the children's clothing rack were new items.
Lisa Battles
A couple of my favorite finds here have been in the kids' toy section. Donated toys seem to have a million pieces, and the team here painstakingly sorts them to offer items as complete as possible. I was delighted to find a pirate ship play set for my pirate-obsessed great-nephew. He also scored a pair of new, never-worn Nike Air toddler shoes.
Lisa Battles
Speaking of playtime, another major Everyday Sunshine initiative in the works in coordination with the city is an inclusive playground. Funds raised through the store also support this forthcoming play space, which will be welcoming and accessible to people of every age and ability.
As much as I hate to give up a secret shopping spot, I am happy to spread the sunshine, especially considering their mission. Another bonus to this shop’s location is it’s super close to the Point Mallard Trail, one of my favorite places in town. If you take a left out of the parking lot, a right at the next light, and just keep driving about 2 miles, you’re there.
You can learn more about the organization’s mission and details about its initiatives on the Everyday Sunshine website. Stay up to the minute on weekly and daily deals on the Everyday Sunshine Facebook page.
Have you visited Everyday Sunshine Thrift? Let us know about your experience and favorite finds.
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