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In 1952, Art Guild volunteers responded to the lack of funds available for art education in the Chapel Hill school district. The volunteers conceived of a Thrift Shop and within the first three months handed over $1200 to pay for the first art teacher. Ten years later the district spent $150,000 on art education.
The tradition continues as the PTAs continue to strive to provide excellent resources to build their individual school communities. Parents in Chapel Hill and Carrboro raise the money for their PTAs to pay for many of the playgrounds, science supplies, computer hardware and software, cultural enrichment programs, and field trips.
Since 1952 the PTA Thrift Shop has grown from one small, frequently moved sales room, to two well-located shops. The staff and volunteers will work to sell almost anything that is clean, intact and works. Over the years the PTA Thrift Shop has sold a horse, diamond engagement rings, the family silver, cars, and a boat with motor and trailer. Recently, an original oil painting sold for $4000.
The PTA Thrift Shop acquired its first permanent home in 1979 with the purchase of the building at 103 Jones Ferry Road in Carrboro. Ten years later, a major renovation and expansion of the Carrboro store was begun. It was completed in 1990. A second shop was leased and opened in Kroger Plaza (now called Village Plaza) on South Elliott Road in 1980. In 1986, the store moved to an even larger space next door adjacent to Wellspring grocery store. The store moved again in 2000 to take advantage of a more lucrative space. In 2001, a donation facility was opened in Chapel Hill on Legion Road behind Ram’s Plaza at Yarnell-Hoffer.
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