Resident Hopes To Open A New Roosevelt Island Thrift Store - Will Have A Table At Tomorrow's Earth Love Day Celebration And Later This Month Will Collect And Sell Items At The Good Shepherd Plaza Saturday RISA Flea Market

Roosevelt Island resident Stephanie Herlihy hopes to bring a Thrift store back to Roosevelt Island.

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A post shared by Roosevelt Island Thrift (@ri_thrift_)

But in the meantime before she can secure a storefront, Ms Herlihy will collect and sell items at the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) Saturday Good Shepherd Plaza Flea Market which sets up every other Saturday. 

According to Ms Herlihy

Roosevelt Island Thrift is a new sustainable initiative with a mission to uplift and nurture community through sustainable practices. Our ultimate goal is to open a Thrift Store on Roosevelt Island. As we do not have a storefront yet, we will operate at the RISA Flea Markets at the Good Shepherd Plaza. We will collect and sell items biweekly on Saturdays from 9am-5pm. Specific dates will be released at the beginning of the month.

 

We are officially launching on Earth Love Day this Saturday, April 20. Our table will be right next to the Blackwell House, across the street from the Meditation Lawn. We will be there from 10am - 2pm. We hope people stop by to say hello, donate or find a new treasure!

We collect clothing, shoes, accessories and books in ANY condition and are committed to reselling, repurposing, or recycling in a responsible manner. We are offering "in-store" discounts for every donation made to Roosevelt Island Thrift. We sell a curated collection of quality second hand goods for all genders and ages. Our inventory is carefully assessed for quality and cleanliness and we aspire to keep an affordable and inclusive inventory. A portion of all proceeds will go directly to youth programs on Roosevelt Island!

Visit the Roosevelt Island Thrift website or Instagram Page for more information.

Ms Herlihy also publishes the monthly Guide To Roosevelt Island Sustainability.

Click here for the April Roosevelt Island Sustainability Guide.

Many Roosevelt Island residents who remember the St Cabrini Thrift Shop on Main Street,

which closed in 2014, have been hoping for a new Roosevelt Island Thrift store to open up shop.

Good luck to Ms Herlihy and Roosevelt Island Thrift.

Roosevelt Island Thrift Shop Will Not Reopen In New St Cabrini Church Space At 504 Main Street - Items Can Be Donated At Chapel For Monthly Flea Market Instead

Image of Roosevelt Island St Cabrini Thrift Shop Closed In August 2014

Reported July 2015:

... The Roosevelt Island St Francis Cabrini Catholic Church signed a lease for a new home on the second floor of 504 Main Street, including a thrift shop and chapel (1st Floor will be new home of NYPL Roosevelt Island branch)...

Apparently, St. Cabrini no longer wishes to operate a thrift shop in their new space at 504 Main Street when it opens.

During the January 26, 2015 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Main Street Retail Committee meeting with Hudson Related Main Street Master Leaseholder representative Pedram Mahdavi, I asked about the status of the new Roosevelt Island St.Cabrini Church premises and Thrift Shop.

Roosevelt Island St Cabrini Church parishioner Linda Heimer confirmed that the St Cabrini Thrift Shop will not reopen but that there will be a monthly flea market set up for donated items delivered to the St Cabrini Chapel at 564 Main Street.



More on Roosevelt Island Main Street retail status later today as update or tomorrow.

UPDATE 2/2 - Why can't Roosevelt Island's long vacant Main Street retail stores find tenants. Full video of RIRA/Hudson Related retail meeting here.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Update - Transformation At M&D Deli, Good Review For Island Wine Store, St Cabrini Catholic Church Signs Lease For New Chapel And Thrift Shop - No News On When Trellis Renovation Done

An update on Roosevelt Island Main Street retail.

Have you noticed improvements at the Roosevelt Island M&D Deli?

Several residents have, reporting:

• ... It has new owners and it is being cleaned and renovated for the first time in over 30 years. It is not chic as Wholesome Factory but has a good selection of groceries...,
• ... it is pretty nice.. We use it at least once a week. Very nice new design and layout of products, very clean and a lot nicer to go in and get something. Since we are in Westview, we tend to use it as our convenience store for milk, etc. I am pleasantly surprised when I do go in.. First used this Deli in 7/82...
• and ... huge difference since the renovation, and I feel like the prices hold up pretty well vs. Gristedes (though I haven't done a real comparison)....

Westviewer is happy with the new wine store:

I am very pleased with Island Wines and Spirits. The store has a wide selection of delicious wines from various regions at reasonable prices, so that it's possible to buy a bottle on the spur of the moment to enhance dinner -- or to order several bottles or a case to have your own wine "cellar" at home. I usually find something to complain about when it comes to Roosevelt Island retail, such as it is, but the new wine store is the best store we've ever had.

and:

I urge other RI-ers support this nice store.

The Roosevelt Island St Francis Cabrini Catholic Church signed a lease for a new home on the second floor of 504 Main Street, including a thrift shop and chapel (1st Floor will be new home of NYPL Roosevelt Island branch)

No word yet on when Trellis

renovation completed and re-opens.

Roosevelt Island Clothing Donations Accepted At St Cabrini Chapel Until New Thrift Shop Opens - NY Archdiocese Close To Signing 504 Main Street Second Floor Lease With Hudson Related For New Chapel And Thrift Store

A Roosevelt Island resident asked this morning:

Some co-residents on Roosevelt Island and myself were trying to find a place to donate clothes on the island. Do you by any chance know of a place that accepts donations on the island? Thank you for any guidance you can provide!

I replied:

With the closing of the Thrift Shop, I am not aware of a place on Roosevelt Island to donate clothes.

I will ask around and get back to you.

 Image Of Now Closed St Cabrini Thrift Shop

A representative of the St Cabrini Chapel suggested:

They can bring it to the Cabrini chapel and we will store it until the Thrift store opens.

9am -1pm and then 4pm to 6pm Monday through Thursday. I am in the office Friday 9am-3:30pm ... people can bring clothing donations to the Cabrini Chapel.

The St. Cabrini Chapel is at 564 Main Street.

The Archdiocese of NY is currently negotiating with Main Street Master Leaseholder Hudson Related for the 7 thousand square feet of space on the second floor of 504 Main Street (first floor will be new Roosevelt Island NYPL branch)

 Image Of 504 Main Street

to be used as a Chapel, Thrift Shop and other uses. Substantial renovations of the premises are necessary. Very reliable sources say that a lease signing is expected very soon.

The Main Street Retail Master Lease is among the items to be discussed at May 16 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting.

UPDATE 5/18 - Pleases bring any donations to St. Cabrini Chapel in bags for storage until new Thrift Store is open. Donations not in bags will not be accepted.

Roosevelt Island St Cabrini Thrift Store Closing Saturday August 30 To Make Way For New Urgent Care Medical Facility - Thrift Store Must Sell Everything But Can Get Lease For New Thrift Shop Say Hudson Related

The Roosevelt Island St Cabrini Thrift store

will close Saturday August 30.

A Roosevelt Island resident reports:

They are closing the thrift store. We have to be out of there by months end and MUST SELL EVERYTHING. No new space available except the old boy scouts place and that is way too small

As reported July 30:

... Roosevelt Island Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related has secured a new tenant for Main Street. An urgent care medical facility, Union Medical Urgent Care will be taking over the space (approximately 3800 sq. ft) currently occupied by Saint Cabrini Thrift Store.

Also, Hudson Related's David Kramer told the July 30 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee about the new tenant for the the Thrift Store space and indicated a willingness to discuss a lease of an alternative space for the Thrift Shop. According to Mr. Kramer, there had been mixed signals from the Catholic Archdiocese



whether they wished to continue operating the Thrift Store, adding some said the Thrift Store was needed to raise funds and others said they can't wait to get rid of it.



Mr Kramer concluded by saying:

We would love nothing more than to sign a lease with Cabrini to have a thrift store in another space at a mutually agreeable rent and term. Then what we would want is for the Thrift Store to comply with our standards for signage and storefront and general appearance which has been an issue with some tenants.

Latest Info On Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail, Hudson Related's David Kramer Gives RIOC Board And Residents Update On Leasing Progress - Another One Or Two Years To Fill All Currently Vacant Stores

On July 30, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee (audio web cast of meeting here) received an update on Main Street leasing progress from Master Retail Leaseholder Hudson Related's David Kramer.
 

 Image Of July 30 RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee Meeting (David Kramer On Far Left)

Earlier that day, it was reported here that Hudson Related signed a lease with an urgent care medical facility for the space occupied by the St Cabrini Thrift Shop.

Mr. Kramer began the retail update with a summary of progress to date including:

• the new urgent care facility,
• possible relocation of the Thrift Shop to a smaller space,
• the soon to open wine store,
• Trellis renovation to begin in the Fall (hopefully in September),
• looking for a new hardware store tenant,
• frustrated with pace of RIOC's renovating windows for Public Library at 504 Main Ground Floor,
• does not want to break up 2nd Floor of 504 Main Street for two tenants, seeking one tenant for entire floor,
• Gallery RIVAA partnering with Cornell NYC Tech to share space and costs and
• difficulty encouraging Southtown Riverwalk residents to walk north to shop on Main Street.

Here's Part 1 of Mr. Kramer's retail update.



Mr. Kramer then spoke about (Part 2) the waterfront concession at Eleanor's Pier, hoping to make it a more permanent concession for next summer and creating Roosevelt Island way finding signage



followed by questions (Part 3) from RIOC Directors about:

• a new bakery,
• pressuring Trellis to start renovation or evict them (Trellis is technically in default under its lease for not starting renovation yet. Hudson Related expects them to start renovation in the Fall).

Mr. Kramer said that Hudson Related has not lost one deal because of asking for too much money and was willing to do a below market, loss leader deal, for the right tenant.



Mr. Kramer then took questions from residents (Part 4) about:

• the Public Library,
• flyers and "crappy stuff" on store windows,
• cleaning up the stationary store (Mr. Kramer says they may be moved to another space),
• desire of some for a pet store, ( H-R almost signed 2 different Pet Stores but it did not work out) and
• Main Street restaurants (Rivercross will not allow restaurants needing ventilation in building).

and (Part 5):

• Roosevelt Island Islamic Society seeking space at 504 Main Street Second Floor for Mosque and
• co-working space for second floor of 504 Main Street.

And then the meeting was over (Part 6).



Mr. Kramer said that he believes it will take another one or two years for the 4 -6 currently vacant store spaces to be leased.

 ... We're going to continue along at a semi-sluggish pace and then something is going to tip...

Mr. Kramer encouraged residents to be ambassadors for Roosevelt Island and to tell favorite retailers that Roosevelt Island was open for business. Mr Kramer emphasized that there will no longer be sweetheart deals for politically favored tenants but that new leases will be based upon "market transactions."

Shopper Got A Great Deal At Roosevelt Island Thrift Store - 29 Books For $5 But How Much Longer Will Thrift Shop Remain Open In Current Space?

29 books for $5?! 17 cents a book?! Yes. Yes, indeed. Thank you thrift store on Roosevelt Island! You're the best! pic.twitter.com/BIORjArHOO
— Jacob Seifert (@JacobSeifert) March 2, 2014

@Lynntchambers @Rooseveltisland Thanks for donating them!
— Jacob Seifert (@JacobSeifert) March 2, 2014

How long the Roosevelt Island Thrift Shop

Image Of Roosevelt Island Thrift Shop From Across Main Street

will remain in their current large space is unknown. They do not have a lease.

However, as previously reported a representative of Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related told the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Retail Committee last January:

... New tenants are being sought for the space currently occupied by the Thrift Store. If possible, the Thrift Store may be able to stay in a much smaller space.

At least the Thrift Shop has cleaned up the inside

of the store recently.

Where To Donate Clothes On Roosevelt island? Any Suggestions? $100 Thousand Of Dell Computer Equipment With Assistive Patient Technology Donated To Coler Goldwater Hospital By Hank Carter's Wheelchair Charities

 Image From Life 123

I received a question recently from a Roosevelt Island resident asking:

Do you know where can I donate clothes here in Roosevelt Island?

I replied:

Coler Hospital on the Northern end of the Island accepts donated clothes.

Here's some info on Coler clothes donation.

The Thrift store accepts donated clothes as well.

According to Angelica Patients Assistant Program at Roosevelt Island's Coler Hospital:

... If you would like to make a difference by donating goods for the patients and residents at Coler-Goldwater Hospital, we welcome in-kind donations.  These items would be greatly appreciated:  new or gently used clothing (especially comfortable leisure wear, sleepwear and undergarments), footwear, toiletries, laptops, iPods, DVD players, portable DVD players, DVD's, books and artwork.  Donations of food and beverages for special events would also be helpful....

Any other suggestions for donating clothes or other items?

Donations may be large or small. Here's an example of a large donation. A reader sent in this link to March 2012 NYC Health and Hospitals Corp newsletter describing a $100 thousand computer equipment donation to Coler Goldwater Hospital:

 Image From March 2012 HHC Today

Coler-Goldwater residents and patients who found it difficult to use computers or were not able to use them at all because of their disabilities will now be able to do so, thanks to the generosity of Hank Carter, Chairman and Founder of Wheelchairs Charities Inc. (WCI). Carter presented the patients and residents of the Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility with a $100,000 donation of 65 new Dell computers equipped with the latest in assistive technology that helps make life easier for people with disabilities. The computers have voice recognition, zoom-text, and a pointer device to facilitate use by quadriplegic individuals....

Click here for entire article.

More on Hank Carter, Wheelchair Charities and what will happen to Coler Goldwater Hospital with the arrival of Cornell Technion Engineering School to Roosevelt Island from earlier post.

UPDATE 8/6/15  - More on donations to the St Cabrini Thrift Shop here.

Where Can Roosevelt Island Residents Go To Get Rid Of Old, Unwanted Stuff On America Recycles Day Or Any Other Time? Not At The Island Thrift Shop!

Image Of NYC Stuff Exchange Logo From NYC.Gov

Got alot of stuff you want to get rid of but don't want to throw it in the garbage? Sunday is America Recycles Day and blogger Brokelyn reports on how to do so:

... The city-run NYC Stuff Exchange offers a comprehensive directory, searchable by borough, for where to donate or sell nearly anything. The site is organized into 17 categories from your old beat up car to your child’s once cherished game of Battleship. NYC WasteLe$$ also has some handy tips for getting rid of your unwanted stuff....

I tried the NYC Stuff Exchange search directory for clothing and home furniture donations located within 2 miles of Roosevelt Island's 10044 zip code. Unfortunately, there were no listings for vendors located on Roosevelt Island but there were 20 listings across the East River on the Upper East Side and in Long Island City.

The Roosevelt Island Thrift shop was not listed in the search directory but the Roosevelt Island Public Library was listed as accepting books, CD's, DVD,s and Videos.

Image of Roosevelt Island Thrift Shop

A reader had this to say about the Roosevelt Island Thrift Shop:

For the 31 years I have lived here the St Frances Cabrini Parish has always had rent-free space for the use as a thrift shop.

This shop serves an important purpose of recycling articles, selling necessities at a low cost and supporting the parish activities.

The last few years the shop has been going down hill. It is a sorry site with clutter, dirty windows, and a general dirty appearance and odor about it. As the Eastwood Roosevelt Landings) public lobby areas are cleaned and refurbished the thrift store stands out for its messiness.

There are dozens of thrift shops in the city and Queens that are properly managed (as ours once was by Sr. Regina). The parish has a social responsibility to maintain a clean and attractive store, in exchange for not paying for rent or utilities. It is time to take this responsibility seriously.

The RIVAA Gallery, Orphans International organizations maintain attractive storefronts and they are not-for-profits. It is time for the thrift shop to emulate them.