By Terry Guerra
The Clothesline, a resale shop located in the courtyard at 22 N. 2nd Street, celebrates a milestone 45 years in business this year. The popular nonprofit store offers gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as lingerie, shoes, jackets, jewelry and linens.
The shop operates under the One Hope Church of the Nazarene in Tipp City along with five sister churches: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Zion Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church, and Tipp City Global Methodist Church, along with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Milton. The advisory board is made up of members of the participating churches, and all profits are distributed to over 35 local outreach organizations as well as the six churches.
Norma Greenwalt is the board chairperson and one of the original eight women who founded the shop. She recalled a conversation her women’s group, Hope Circle, had in October of 1980. They were discussing what they could do to help their community. Greenwalt had just moved to Tipp City from Granville, Ohio, that August. She mentioned that Granville had a clothing resale shop run by TWIG (a volunteer-run women's auxiliary and fundraising organization) for the nearby medical center in Newark. Along with members that included Peg Hadden, a retired teacher who recently passed away; Elaine Sampley, Kathy Ishmael, and Carolyn Slaughter, they took a trip to Granville to check it out. Soon after, they began their search for a location in Tipp City.
The moves they have made over the years have been interesting. Tom Sampley, who owned the Tipp Roller Mill at 225 E. Main St. when the women decided to find a place, gave them permission to use the Lock Masters office and a large room in the middle of the building. The group got busy painting and adding shelves, purchasing tables and racks, and opened on April 1, 1981. The building had no heat, no bathrooms, or water, but Greenwalt stated they were just happy to be in business.
After four and ½ years, Sampley sold the Roller Mill and The Clothesline was able to move to the corner of South County Road 25A and Ginghamsburg-Frederick Road. They were all pretty happy to have heat, a bathroom, and even a dressing room. But after nearly nine years in that location, the building was sold, and once again, they found themselves looking for a new home.
A new home was located, and The Clothesline landed at 22 N. Second Street, where it’s been since 1994. After stints housing a newspaper, a car dealership, and an antiques shop, the building needed some work. Improvements such as new walls, shelving, racks, and dressing rooms were added, and (with a lot of help from husbands) they opened the doors in three weeks.
Jim Greenwalt, Norma’s husband, has also been with the shop from the start. He and Norma take care of the children’s items. Most of the children’s items are in the $2-$3 price range, while some items that are new or in excellent condition may be priced a little more. There is a team of 20 sorters from the churches who come in on Mondays and Tuesdays and separate all of the items that have recently been received.
If the items don’t sell after four weeks at the regular price and two weeks at a markdown price, the items are passed along to a place on the list of 14 organizations that The Clothesline supports, such as St. Vincent DePaul. Weavers and Fiber Too, across the street, accepts donated items such as jeans that cannot be sold and turns them into usable items like placemats, table runners, and purses. Bath towels that cannot be sold are passed along for use to Pawsitive Warriors Rescue of New Carlisle and New Carlisle Animal Hospital.
Norma said that she does the writing (volunteer schedule and roster, and the newsletter) and takes care of the money. There is also a treasurer. Jim does all the carpentry work. Which means, he said with a laugh, “I get to fix everything broken.”
There are a lot of volunteers. Deb Keppel is one of the 133 the shop presently has, and spoke of the benefits she’s received while working at the shop. “I’ve met so many great people here and made some really good friends. It’s also a chance to get together and enjoy some fellowship.”
Norma also explained that The Clothesline sometimes hears from other organizations such as Partners in Hope or Salvation Army, or even other churches not affiliated with the shop, who may call regarding families having emergency needs. They will arrange to meet at the shop after hours to help them get what they need free of charge.
“What is so wonderful is that we have six churches involved…and also volunteers from other churches that come in to help,” Norma said.
Staci Shirley, event planner for the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce, says “The Chamber likes to do this sort of thing for the local businesses.” She and Samantha McFadden were out one day and happened to see the sign promoting The Clothesline’s 45th anniversary.
The Tipp City Chamber of Commerce will honor The Clothesline for their many years of service on Thursday, October 29, at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Hours:
Wednesday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Donations are greatly appreciated during operating hours.