Since its modest beginnings in 1958, Trinity Church's Linden Exchange Shop has not lost its primary focus: to provide quality clothing at lower than bargain basement prices for the less fortunate. That was the thinking of a small group of concerned women in the parish who, moved by the Matthean Gospel question "And when did we see you naked...," gathered, washed and ironed, and then made available
"pre-owned" clothing to some of Geneva's neediest. These latter were those who were being displaced by urban development on the lake front or who had lost their jobs as local military installations were being downsized or closed. Over the years a thriving consignment shop that serves all strata of Geneva's society, as well as customers as far away as Toronto has emerged. The shop's inventory, manned at all levels--check-in, tagging, sales, accounting--totally by volunteers from Trinity, other local churches, as well as by a few non-churchgoers, ensures that the Linden Exchange is a place where some basic needs can be met. One regular consignee, in her role as a customer remarked recently, "It's like Boston's original Filene's Basement in here." She had found herself tugging on the same item as a non-consignee. Walking out, having purchased ca. $40 worth of clothing, she said, "one of these things alone would have cost me twice that new, and there's not a single spot or tear anywhere!"
Further, the shop offers an opportunity to be green. Perfectly good, even often new items can be had for a mere percentage of their original price. The original owner earns a commission, the new owner gets to buy often designer goods, and the items remain out of landfills. Moreover, Trinity itself benefits: the Linden Exchange makes a sizable contribution to the general annual parish budget. But that is only after contributions are made to other not-for-profit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, the Geneva Fire Company, and Police Benevolent Association. Clothing not sold is donated to the VA and children's items are given to a local day care. in the heart of historic downtown Geneva, The Linden Exchange Shop is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. Volunteers are always welcome. Call 315.789.6162 for further information.
