November 3, 1932, marked the beginning of what was to become the Junior League's longest-running, most successful fund-raiser. The Junior League Thrift Shop opened at 304 North Miami Avenue, the first store to sell used clothing in Miami. The store "reigned alone in this particular marketplace of used and repaired merchandise . . ." until the idea caught on "like wildfire throughout the Greater Miami area" 20+ years later, The Miami Herald reported in 1964.
An Early Blessing
A month after its opening, a very special woman by the name of Frances Bennett began her long relationship with the shop as manager. Mrs. Bennett remained with the shop for 46 years, until she retired in 1978 at age 81.
The words "legend" "colorful" and "gutsy" came up when I asked sustainers about this remarkable woman who ran the shop in a very strict manner. It seems all the sustainers remember her.
There were stories about her running for blocks chasing down people who stole items from her beloved store. For her 35th year of service, the Junior League presented Mrs. Bennett with a trip to Europe. Mrs. Bennett later said this opportunity was "the happiest moment of her life." She passed away in the early 1980s.
A year and a half after opening, the shop moved to 405 North Miami Ave., where it remained for the next 30 years. A partition in the rear of the store marked the areas where the articles on consignment were sold. A shoe department had "shoe chairs" scattered for convenience. Toward the back was a balcony where League members marked donations.
The store was near many low rent boarding houses, and the tenants would use the shop as a gathering place. A Coca-Cola machine in the shoe department served as a gathering spot for men and women who came in, sat down on shoe chairs, and discussed the problems of the day. The clientele was so large that throngs of people waited to come in each morning.
In an interview with Mrs. Bennett in 1977, she recalled with nostalgia the delight that the shop brought to customers during the Christmas season. At 3 p.m. on a designated day, the League members would bring all of their finery: silver trays, punch bowls, linen table cloths, and serve punch and cookies to the customers. For some people, this was their only holiday experience and they were very grateful.
The Coffee Tradition
The annual Thrift Shop Rumm
age Coffee is a tradition dating back to 1939 when the first one was held at the Pine Tree Drive home of Mrs. Strongman Miller. Every November, these public events at "well-known" residences became increasingly popular. In 1960, Janet MacNeill reported that "last year's extravaganza at the estate of Arthur Vinning Davis," brought in 900 bags, enabling the store to make $1,200 in sales the next day. At times the shop had police protection to keep people from charging the doors and pilfering the goods. (A modified form of this event continues today as the Sustainer Coffee-a tradition now for starting off the "League year" and gathering goods from sustainers, and never with an incident of pilfering!)
The Encore Shop Name is Born
In 1964, the shop changed its location again, and its name as well. It was moved to 118 N.W. 1st Avenue, across from the courthouse and the bus stop, now the location of the Metro-Dade Cultural Center. The League ran a contest to think of a new name. Mrs. Sheldon Morehead's suggestion won--Junior League Encore Shop--a name still with us today.
Along with the new shop name came enhancements. The shoe department and men's clothing were eliminated and more boutique items were accepted. The caliber of the clothes accepted was upgraded, and no more clothes were accepted on consignment.
The opening of the new Encore Shop in 1964 had been highly publicized, making it necessary to engage police protection for the event. The new shop was very small and a mob of customers wanted in. Policemen controlled the crowd by allowing them to enter and leave the store two at a time.
The clientele consisted primarily of secretaries from offices in the downtown area, however, many of the shop's old customers followed them to this new location, where the shop remained for the next 11 years.
Move to the Gables
In 1975 the Encore Shop moved to the Parker Arts Building on Aragon in Coral Gables. The merchandise was once again upgraded, along with the appearance of the shop. In 1981 it moved to Coral Gable's converted old firehouse, 2325 Salzedo Street, with the League's headquarters sharing adjacent space. In 1997, the Shop moved around the corner to bigger space to allow for more merchandise, 269 Giralda Avenue, where it remains today.
In the tradition of Frances Bennett, Mildred Helms has graciously served as store manager for the past eight years. Mildred combines a pragmatic sense of style, a sharp business sense and keen customer relations skills. The store always has a fresh look, fabulous clothing and low prices.
When asked why she believes the Encore Shop is so successful, Mildred replied, "It is definitely a service to the community. Customers like it not only because of its appearance and its current, stylish clothes, but because it is such a pleasant shopping experience. In fact, some of the regular customers call it their "therapy."
Therapy indeed! The fact is that the Encore Shop has been the biggest source of income for the Junior League of Miami, since its inception in 1932. To all those women who contributed to its success -- hats off!
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