BATS in the Barn: The Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop

Never mind the belfry. There's BATS in the barn.

In traveling the winding curves of Tomlinson Road in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, it would be easy to dismiss this building as a barn belonging to an old orchard on the grounds of the Bryn Athyn Church.

But this is what is lovingly known as BATS.

This is the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop. And this barn of secondhand treasures has been a fixture in this tightly knit community for 17 years. Yet somehow, I had not been there until just a few short days ago.

After stepping inside for the first time, I greeted one of the employees to seek permission for snapping a few photos. And much to my surprise, both the co-manager and manager were eager to give me an inside look of what BATS truly means to both the shoppers and staff.

Between taking photos of the shelves, displays and decor and talking shop with Nina Finkeldey, the manager of the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop, I spent upwards of 90 minutes in total awe of my surroundings. 

There was kitsch. There was vintage. And there was a passion for the business that was palpable. And as I learned from Nina, BATS is a shared and collaborative passion among its 12 employees and 190 volunteers. The proceeds may benefit the Bryn Athyn Church, but the benefits are beyond  mere monetary value. Nina was quick to note that BATS serves the community first and acts as a fundraiser second. 

A lot of love, a lot of creativity and a whole lot of hard labor has gone into  to make this thrift shop into something more than just your average Goodwill. And there's much more on the horizon for this secondhand wonderland. More than just a retail environment, BATS  serves as an antiques gallery, with records,  bicycles, movie posters, hardware and more hanging from every nook and cranny. 

These thoughtfully arranged display pieces within BATS are marked "NFS." What I would typically dread as a vintage-seeking thrifter, I've come to admire.  Nina explained that  these pieces are not for sale so that all might  see and appreciate them. These vintage vignettes give the already historic barn added nostalgic charm. And who can complain about stepping into a time capsule?

Just admire the view. Snap a photo. Be a little jealous and move along. There's 6000 square feet to explore, after all.

And after a friendly exchange between management, some browsing with fellow shoppers and a lot of handshaking with the volunteer staff, I can officially endorse The Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop as one the must-see secondhand stores in all of Pennsylvania.

Of course I couldn't help but snatch up a few vintage bargains during my BATS exploration. But that's for another post. 

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The Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop is located at 510 Tomlinson Road, P.O. Box 277 Bryn Athyn, PA  19009. For announcements of sales and future thrift happenings, stop by the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop Facebook page. 

The Key To My Heart Lies in the Thrift Store

...and it only cost $1.00!

This was a lovely impulse buy from one of my favorite secondhand stops,  The Philly AIDs Thrift. I was patiently waiting at the checkout counter while the woman in front of me was chatting up the cashier. I happened to glance down at the display case. And amidst an arrangement of pin-back buttons and  novelty jewelry sat this little beauty. Don't you love the heart shape? Adorable. 

While the cashier started tallying my meager stack of discount paperbacks, I eyed the display case for a price. Fearing it was for display only, I asked the cashier if the key was for sale, by chance. She gave it a once-over and said with a smile, "How 'bout a dollar?" 

And just then, in finding such a gorgeous skeleton key, so perfectly aged with rust...my heart burst with joy. 

THE END. 

Happy National Thrift Store Day!!

Be patriotic. Go thrifting!

Finally the day has come where the stateside thrifters can celebrate their passion for frugality and claim actual holiday status. Go ahead. Demand a day off from work in honor of the celebration. When your supervisors question which holiday you're speaking of, scream loudly and proudly:

National Thrift Store Day!!!!!

Sure, the thrift stores may be crowded. The lines may be long and the shelves may be bare by the day's end. But this is the one day a year, as Americans, we can wave our secondhand flags proudly, with thrift store receipts so gallantly streaming from the pockets of our Levis. 

And if you're a thrifter from elsewhere in the world, feel free to celebrate with us. Go out and thrift yourselves something nice. And in a special shout-out to those international thrifters, I am curious to know if your country has a day nationally recognized  for such an occasion. Please do comment. I'd love to read of your nationally-sanctioned secondhand holidays as well!

In the meantime, I hope that as Americans we can put aside our differing political ideologies for the day and just...go thrifting. 

Happy hunting, everyone!

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It's a two-for-one, double trouble Friday the 13th special here on Let's Go Thrifting!  Look for the second little update later today...a creeptacular Vintage Photo Friday... the 13th. 

Dun dun dun. 

Until then, I have to wonder. What would make your list of 13 Reasons to Love Thrifting?