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Changing seasons means exchanging our shorts and flip flops for jeans and boots. But thanks to Martin’s House & Barn’s thrift shop, getting new fall and winter gear doesn’t have to break the bank – and it can even support a good cause.
Martin’s House & Barn is a Ridgely-based nonprofit that has served individuals and families on the Eastern Shore for more than 40 years, providing a safety net for people experiencing difficult circumstances. Founded in 1983 by the Benedictine Sisters of Ridgely as St. Martin’s Barn, the organization began by collecting and delivering food and clothing to neighbors in need. Today, Martin’s House & Barn provides several services from its four-acre campus on Benedictine Lane, including a homeless shelter, food pantry, and even a thrift shop.
The thrift shop, located in the historic Barn, offers clothing, furniture, and household items, giving local families access to necessities at affordable prices. For shoppers preparing for cooler weather, that can mean finding coats, clothing and other seasonal items without paying full retail prices.
For community members cleaning out closets, cabinets, and garages, the shop also provides an opportunity to pass along items that may still be useful to someone else. Donations are accepted every day through the drop-off box at the back of the thrift store. Donors can also call to arrange an appointment to drop items off during operating hours.
Last but certainly not least, the thrift shop gives neighbors an avenue to regularly connect with Martin’s House & Barn, as donors and shoppers get to see the campus and play a small part in the good work that happens there.
The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon. Martin’s House & Barn is located at 14374 Benedictine Lane in Ridgely.
