LOVE

Photo by: Megan WatsonPhoto by: Megan WatsonPhoto by: Megan WatsonWith the purchase of the building twoyears ago came the opportunity and responsibilityto make improvements at Bloomin’Deals. A new paint job completely changedthe look of the building to reflect the neighborhood’snew feel, and new ideas have takenshape online as well, starting with theBloomin’ Deals Thrift Shop Facebook page.Anyone who ‘likes’ the page will get regularupdates of what is going on there and elsewherein the JLNO.The majority of Bloomin’ Deals merchandiseare gently used items. However,the store often receives new, “tags on” clothingand housewares. These items are setaside from the general general merchandiseas “boutique” items.“People get excited to get something brandnew when they come in to shop,” says Maria.“When they find a little treasure it keeps themcoming back every week to see what new merchandisewe have. I would still like to see morehigh end items coming in because that getsshoppers really excited and helps us competewith consignment stores.”And its not just new items getting shoppersexcited. There is also a new rack dedicatedto hot trends, which includes a trendboard showcasing the looks in fashion magazines.Thrift Shop volunteers pull the trendyitems from the racks and put together thelooks for shoppers to buy off the rack.According to Maria, the best days to come inEmpty shelves45 minutes afterthe doors openedfor Bag Day.The line at 9:30 a.m. for Bag Day!are immediately following one of the BagDays, during the first week in March andOctober, when the whole store is emptiedand then replenished with new inventory.A weekly stop for neighborhood shoppers,Bloomin’ Deals has become one of the firststops on any costume hunter’s route. With itsclose proximity to Tulane and Loyola, theThrift Shop gets a steady stream of studentscoming in looking for elements to put togethercostumes for tacky Christmas parties,Halloween, VooDoo festival, Red Dress Run,Mardi Gras and any other costuming occasion.And as it gets closer to Mardi Gras, membersof the Krewe of Muses are often seenscouring the shoe section for the perfect shoeto adorn with glitter and ribbon.Bloomin’ Deals is often a stop for menand women looking for professional clothing,from men’s suits and ties to women’sdresses, pantsuits and blazers. The ThriftShop has partnered with the HumanResources staff at Ochsner to create a CareerClothing Style Show in the spring. All ofthe professional looks used in the show willcome from Bloomin’ Deals and showcasewhat a wide variety of merchandise theThrift Shop carries. Also in the spring, agroup of JLNO Provisionals will be puttingon a fashion show with Dress for Success totake place at JLNO headquarters.The newest initiative at Bloomin’ Deals,launched by Maria and JLNO President DeePhoto by: Megan WatsonLucky bride-to-be, Joanisha Mallery, foundher dream wedding dress during Bloomin’Deal’s Bag Day.McCloskey, is Mighty Men, a once a monthpick-up service for large donated items. TheMighty Men, consisting of JLNO husbands,boyfriends, sons and friends, go to homeswhere a pick-up has been scheduled andbring treasures back to the Thrift Shop.Merchandise includes sofas, recliners,armoires, entertainment centers and tables.There was already a demand for furniture atthe Thrift Shop, and now there is more thanenough supply to justify the service.Every member of JLNO works at theThrift Shop at one time or another in herLeague life.“It is the tie that binds us — projects andevents come and go — Bloomin’ Deals is theconstant,” says Dee McCloskey.And members know it is the talented staffwho makes it all happen and implements theexciting changes being made. They are thebackbone of the Thrift Shop and if it weren’tfor the hard work of Marc, Stella, Audrey,Carolyn, Margie, Willie and Lawrence, itwouldn’t be the institution it is today.“We have customers who come in weekin and week out without fail,” says Maria.“The staff knows them and their familiesand everyone looks out for each other.They had this place cleaned out and upand running only two months after thestorm. They are truly amazing.”According to Maria, the numbers atBloomin’ Deals are looking really good for theyear. With rebirth happening all around it, thenewly revitalized Bloomin’ Deals Thrift shopwill continue to anchor the Freret neighborhoodfor many years to come.www.jlno.org 11