Pink Door shows off new expansion
NORWICH – Having an entrance on Broad Street will greatly improve The Pink Door’s visibility and accessibility, customers and shop volunteers say.
The thrift clothing store, started in 1972, doubled its floor space earlier this month as part of an expansion that started in August.
Pink Door management and volunteers say they needed more room to accommodate a significant increase in donations and patrons after Norwich’s Salvation Army store closed in June.
“We wanted to do what we could to take over for the Salvation Army. As soon as they were gone, we saw an impact,” said Marilyn Quinney, president of the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, which operates the Pink Door.
“This expansion gives us the opportunity to serve the community by making affordable clothing available and using the money we take in to enhance patient care at the hospital. We’re doing two things at once,” she said.
A grand opening ceremony was held Tuesday morning. Nearly two dozen customers and officials from Chenango Memorial Hospital, the hospital’s auxiliary, Commerce Chenango, and the City of Norwich were in attendance.
“This is great. I love it. I hope they do well,” said customer Edwina Ernest, Norwich, who shops at The Pink Door two to three times a week for clothes and dishes. “A lot of people were devastated when the Salvation Army closed.”
“It’s gorgeous, and there’s a lot more room to move around,” added Edna Fink, Norwich. “It’s not as crowded in here now.”
The new site extends into what was once the shoe store for McLaughlin’s Department Store. Prior to the expansion, The Pink Door’s main entrance was located next door to the back entrance of McLaughlin’s. Now customers can use the front or the back.
“Now that you have an entrance on Broad Street, you’ll have a lot more people, I think, especially now that the Salvation Army is gone,” said customer Marlene Cook, Norwich. “It’s almost like a store rather than a thrift shop.”
The Pink Door first opened on May 4, 1972 at 19 Mitchell St. Since that time, it has occupied five locations throughout the city. Approximately 161,000 hours have been donated and 1,000 volunteers have operated the store, according to CMH figures. The Pink Door has raised $536,000 since 1972.
The cost of expanding the store was minimal, members of the hospital auxiliary said. Most of the work was done by the hospital’s facilities department.
The Pink Door is operated by approximately 25 volunteers. More, both men and women, are needed to meet the increased demand, the auxiliary says. Volunteering would require about three hours of work per week. Hours for assignments are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 1 to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in helping at The Pink Door can contact Julie Clark at 337-4151.
The thrift clothing store, started in 1972, doubled its floor space earlier this month as part of an expansion that started in August.
Pink Door management and volunteers say they needed more room to accommodate a significant increase in donations and patrons after Norwich’s Salvation Army store closed in June.
“We wanted to do what we could to take over for the Salvation Army. As soon as they were gone, we saw an impact,” said Marilyn Quinney, president of the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, which operates the Pink Door.
“This expansion gives us the opportunity to serve the community by making affordable clothing available and using the money we take in to enhance patient care at the hospital. We’re doing two things at once,” she said.
A grand opening ceremony was held Tuesday morning. Nearly two dozen customers and officials from Chenango Memorial Hospital, the hospital’s auxiliary, Commerce Chenango, and the City of Norwich were in attendance.
“This is great. I love it. I hope they do well,” said customer Edwina Ernest, Norwich, who shops at The Pink Door two to three times a week for clothes and dishes. “A lot of people were devastated when the Salvation Army closed.”
“It’s gorgeous, and there’s a lot more room to move around,” added Edna Fink, Norwich. “It’s not as crowded in here now.”
The new site extends into what was once the shoe store for McLaughlin’s Department Store. Prior to the expansion, The Pink Door’s main entrance was located next door to the back entrance of McLaughlin’s. Now customers can use the front or the back.
“Now that you have an entrance on Broad Street, you’ll have a lot more people, I think, especially now that the Salvation Army is gone,” said customer Marlene Cook, Norwich. “It’s almost like a store rather than a thrift shop.”
The Pink Door first opened on May 4, 1972 at 19 Mitchell St. Since that time, it has occupied five locations throughout the city. Approximately 161,000 hours have been donated and 1,000 volunteers have operated the store, according to CMH figures. The Pink Door has raised $536,000 since 1972.
The cost of expanding the store was minimal, members of the hospital auxiliary said. Most of the work was done by the hospital’s facilities department.
The Pink Door is operated by approximately 25 volunteers. More, both men and women, are needed to meet the increased demand, the auxiliary says. Volunteering would require about three hours of work per week. Hours for assignments are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 1 to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in helping at The Pink Door can contact Julie Clark at 337-4151.
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