Tipp’s Best Kept Secret Receives a Generous Gift
The Clothesline really isn’t a secret, but even though it has been in Tipp for over 40 years, not everyone knows it is there. It is nestled in a little courtyard at 22 N. Second Street. To look at the front of the shop, it looks very small and nondescript, but once you enter its door it opens into a lovely, expansive resale clothing shop, full of bargains for men, women, and children alike.
The Clothesline was created in April of 1981 by a group of women as an outreach of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church. The vision of its creators was to serve the community of Tipp City and the surrounding area with affordable clothing, and its proceeds were designated to return to the community. Since its conception, The Clothesline’s donations to various charities have totaled over a million dollars. In addition to donating its proceeds, it also provides free clothing to those in need. Every year at Christmas they partner with the Needy Basket program in Tipp City. Families who receive Christmas baskets also receive vouchers for clothing for their family members. People who find themselves in need during the year can also receive clothing by going through the Nazarene Church in Tipp. Clothing not sold at the shop is donated to various missions in the area and beyond.
The Clothesline has now expanded to include volunteers from the churches in Tipp City and one in West Milton. It has a governing board which includes a volunteer from each church that meets four times a year. There are over one hundred twenty men and women who volunteer to serve in various capacities. Volunteers work Mondays and Tuesdays sorting, pricing, cleaning and hanging clothing. Wednesdays through Saturdays volunteers serve as clerks, helping customers that visit the shop.
It was during one of those Monday and Tuesday volunteer days that the generous gift idea came about. One of our workers brought her two visiting nieces in to visit and to help. The day was hot and The Clothesline had one small air conditioner and lots of fans going, but with all the work being done, it was still down right uncomfortable. In spite of the heat, the nieces were impressed with the work and the charitable mission of The Clothesline. As it turned out one of the nieces and her husband wanted to contribute something to The Clothesline as a thank you for all that it does. That’s how Clark and Renee Ehrlich from O’Fallon, Missouri, came to donate an air conditioner. They own Ehrlich’s Kitchen & Baths, Heating and Cooling Installation and Service in Hazelwood, Missouri. They, like The Clothesline, have been in business for over forty years. Not only did they donate a large unit, they donated their time and money to drive it here and install it. The Clothesline is so grateful for the extremely generous gift and want to thank Clark and Renee for their wonderful donation to our shop. We also want to thank Steve Watson for upgrading the electricity in the building to accommodate what is needed for the air conditioner.
Undoubtedly those founding women from 1981 never expected The Clothesline to grow as much as it has in the last forty plus years. Hopefully they are proud of how far The Clothesline has come and that it has remained true to their vision for helping others in the Tipp City area.
If you would like to visit The Clothesline they are open Wednesday 1-7 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. You can also visit their Facebook page at Clothesline Tipp City.
