ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — It’s been more than six months since flooding destroyed the thrift shop that supports the Italian American Heritage Museum in Albany. The hard work of volunteers has led them to a reopening date of June 23rd.
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On Central Avenue, next door to the heritage museum, you’ll find a thrifter’s paradise. Clothing ── with the tags still on ── line the racks at a fraction of the original price.
Walking through the various rooms, which are freshly painted and redecorated, you’ll find glassware, purses, jewelry, shoes, and more. The shop has come a long way since the flooding.
“It was devastating. I walked in one morning, I heard noise in the front room, and when I walked in, water just poured down me like a waterfall. I started crying. I was hysterical. We had so much damage,” said Theresa Viva, the manager at the thrift shop.
However, volunteers, including Viva, made timely work of finding a contractor to help them bring it back to life. They wanted to turn things around quickly, as the thrift shop supports their efforts to preserve local Italian history.
“We are all volunteers. The proceeds from the thrift shop and the bridal shop go to benefit the Italian Heritage Museum, which is right next door,” said Viva…