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This ‘n’ That for Habitat thrift store closing doors

This ‘n’ That for Habitat thrift store closing doors
Evan Cooper, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northwestern Connecticut, managed sales at its North Canaan location on Friday, Jan. 6. 
Photo by Leila Hawken

NORTH CANAAN — For well more than 10 years, This ‘n’ That for Habitat has served the northwestern Connecticut community, bringing awareness of the essential mission of Habitat for Humanity. In the process the destination thrift shop has provided low cost, high quality home furnishings to customers throughout the region.

In the wake of an announcement from Habitat for Humanity of Northwestern Connecticut that the retail location would soon close, the store scheduled two consecutive weekends of a final clearance sale to liquidate its entire stock. The first weekend sale opened on Friday, Jan. 6, and continued through Sunday, Jan. 8. The second will be Friday, Jan. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 15  from noon to 4 p.m.

“That is so beautiful,” was a comment heard often as customers circulated through the displays on the opening day, Friday, Jan. 6. A watercolor artist was delighted to find two antique lidded chamber pots in perfect condition.

Another long-term customer spoke fondly of Judy Moore’s years of dedication to the shop and recounted how the store carried on valiantly to remain open after she left. Looking to the future, Evan Cooper, Executive Director of Habitat of Northwestern Connecticut, said, “We’re still here and we intend to remain active in the community.” Cooper has served as executive director since February, 2022.

“We’d like to be able to maintain a retail presence,” Cooper said, adding that Habitat’s board of directors would be meeting within weeks to discuss future plans.

Habitat is presently building two new homes for families, one in Torrington and one in North Canaan on Salisbury Road where the past week had seen the pouring of the foundation in preparation for framing in the coming week.

Leila Hawken

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