A Best Kept Secret

A best kept secret.

That’s how Tri Kappa volunteer Gena Coers described the Twice-As-Nice Resale Shop at the YWCA.

With a mixture of clothing, toys, jewelry, household goods, books and art, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

On a recent Saturday morning, Tri Kappa Muncie volunteers Coers and Julie Calvert were helping shoppers and ringing up purchases. The store is operated entirely by Tri Kappa, and all money raised through the shop goes directly to YWCA programming.  In 2019, the shop brought in $17,800 in revenue.

“When you sell a lot of things for a quarter, that amount is pretty amazing,” Coers said.

Shopper Lawanda Johnson, who is has been shopping at the resale shop for four years, joked that she might be a bit addicted to searching for treasures there.

“They always seem to have what I need,” Johnson said. “I would be thinking that it would be nice to have a tea set for a tea party, and then the next time I’d visit, a tea set would be here.”

Johnson said the regular shoppers who line up outside the shop before it opens on Fridays have become their own community, sharing with each other what they’re looking for any given week.  And volunteers quickly learn what the regular shoppers like and will let them know about any new items that have just been put out for sale.

“And it’s so inexpensive,” Johnson said. “You get some really nice items here.”

Calvert said it’s nice to see some of the same customers every time she volunteers. “It’s a great service,” she said. “And it’s so great that every penny goes back to the YWCA.”

Becky Shroyer shops at Twice-As-Nice a few times a month.

“You find some unique stuff, and the prices are super good,” Shroyer said. “I like to thrift shop. I don’t like the mall. I try to look for something a little different. I see what strikes my fancy.”

The entrance to the resale shop is located on the west side of the YWCA building on Jefferson Street between Adams & Charles Street.   It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.  The YWCA also accepts donations for the shop, including dishware, decorations and household items, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. All donations are tax-deductible.