Arc's Emporium Thrift Store in Woodstock Celebrates Extended Hours with Grand Reopening

Caption: The Arc Eastern Connecticut’s Emporium Thrift Store celebrates extended hours with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. L-R: Woodstock Selectman Chris Mayhew; Woodstock First Selectman Chandler Paquette; Arc associates Norma Nilo, Crystal Gray, and Melissa Naughton; 50th District State Representative Pat Boyd; and Hometown Bank Woodstock Manager George Dimopoulos.

Open six days a week, The Emporium extended shopping hours to 6 pm Wednesday through Friday. “Those extra hours of shopping time give people a chance to stop by on their way home from work,” says Barry Shead, Executive General Manager. “Many of our regular customers asked for it, and we’re happy to deliver!”

The celebration featured a ribbon-cutting as well as refreshments and, of course, some special sales inside the store. On hand for the festivities were Woodstock Selectman Chris Mayhew, Woodstock First Selectman Chandler Paquette, 50th District State Representative Pat Boyd, Hometown Bank Woodstock Manager George Dimopoulos, and Putnam Selectman Scott Pempek.

“During our extended hours, shoppers can get some very special deals,” says Shead, “making the trip worthwhile.”

The Emporium, located at 22 CT-171 in Woodstock, is nestled between The Cookie Factory and the Donation Station bottle-and-can redemption center. All three businesses are operated by The Arc Eastern Connecticut, and each offers unique employment opportunities and training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). All proceeds are used to support people with IDD.

The Emporium is open Saturday 9:30 am to 2:30 pm; Monday-Tuesday 9:30 am to 3 pm; and Wednesday-Friday 9:30 am to 6 pm. They sell a variety of new and gently used items and accept tax-deductible donations of the same. For more details, visit their web site.

About The Arc Eastern Connecticut

The Arc Eastern Connecticut is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting people with IDD in the communities of eastern Connecticut. Since its founding in 1952, the Agency has promoted inclusion, independence, and quality of life for people with IDD through advocacy, education, and community-based services. To learn more, please visit TheArcECT.org.