Laura Blumenstock(above), Merchandise Coordinator for the Clubhouse Shop at Independence Center, invited me to stop by recently to preview a small selection of the many treasures the upscale resale shop will be selling at its 21st Annual Estate Sale October 4 & 5. The non-profit Independence Center at 4245 Forest Park helps people with severe and persistent mental illness live and work in the community. You've seen The Independence Center's efforts at work in the immediate neighborhood with the presence of the street crews that keep the Euclid commercial district clean. Their work is organized and supervised by Independence Center staff and paid for by the Community Improvement District (CID).
Laura and retail manager Michael Johnson have been saving the "cream of the crop" from the many donations they've received over the past year to put into the upcoming estate sale. Michael's creativity is evidenced in the displays he has created in the front windows of the shop showing some of the fabulous items that will be available, see photos above and that follow.
The very tall chair, above, came from a South City church and was reupholstered by clients of Independence Center with fabric chosen by Michael Johnson.
Among the antiques in the collection are: from left, a bronze vase, silver "spooner" for communal tea, 1930's Wedgewood biscuit bowl, 1950's noisemaker from the Metal Toy Manufacturing Company, a numbered French trinket box, and a soapstone chop. Other items, not pictured, include a Murphy Bed, more vintage toys, china, collectibles and more.
The Preview Party will be held Friday, October 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and costs $15 to attend. Signature cocktails and appetizers will add to the festivities. Saturday's sale, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is free and open to the public. Majic 104.9's Tammy Holland will be doing a live broadcasting from the Clubhouse Shop. All proceeds from the weekend's sale benefit the wonderful work of Independence Center, the second largest program of its kind in the world helping 1,600 individuals in the community each year.
To purchase tickets for the Preview Party October 4, visit Independence Center website or call (314) 880-5484.