A 2024 report put this resale shop’s annual gross sales at about $1.2 million, with net proceeds supporting local community programs. That is a lot of good done one blouse at a time.
The story started in 1941 under a different name. Today, the store holds an upscale women’s designer boutique and a yearly sale packed with nearly new couture, furs, shoes, and purses.
Shoppers come from beyond the region just for that event.
I like how a single purchase can turn into school supplies for a kid or help for a woman starting over. I believe that makes bargain hunting feel a little less like a guilty pleasure.
This Missouri store is also getting ready for a big change soon.
So how does a thrift trip end up funding real community programs? The answer is more interesting than you might expect.
A Designer Boutique Sits Right Inside This Charity Shop
Designer labels and a good cause share the same racks at The Resale Shop, a project of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis. The shop goes by NCJWSTL for short, which is much easier to say at checkout.
Inside, you’ll find an upscale women’s designer boutique. It’s a section built for shoppers who love quality pieces but don’t love full retail price tags.
Designer items are mixed into the bigger collection too. That means a careful browse through regular racks can still turn up a name-brand surprise.
The shop carries new and gently used clothing for women, men, and children. Accessories, jewelry, and home goods round out the mix, so there’s plenty beyond the boutique corner.
What makes the designer section special is where the money goes. Every sale helps fund programs for women, children, and families across the St. Louis area.
I can’t think of a better excuse to buy that structured handbag you’ve been eyeing. It’s practically community service with better accessories.
My advice is simple. Give yourself time to explore both the boutique and the main floor, because the best find might be hiding on an ordinary hanger.
The Shop Has Been Raising Money Since 1941
Back in 1941, this store opened under a different name: The Council Shop. It also sat at a different location from the one shoppers know today.
Think about how much fashion has changed since then. Shoulder pads came and went, and so did a few questionable denim trends, yet the shop kept going.
From the very start, the goal was clear. The store existed to fund the community programs and projects of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis.
That mission has stayed steady for more than eight decades. Few local businesses of any kind can claim that sort of staying power.
In 2011, The Resale Shop moved into its current building. The move also brought NCJWSTL’s operations together under one roof, which made things simpler for everyone involved.
I like knowing that a sweater bought today connects to work that started generations ago. It gives an ordinary shopping trip a nice sense of history.
Fun fact for your next trivia night: this Missouri shop has outlasted plenty of department stores. Not bad for a place built on donated clothes and big hearts.
Your Bargain Turns Into Real Help For Local Families
About $1.2 million a year comes from this one shop. That money makes The Resale Shop a major source of funding for NCJWSTL.
All proceeds support charitable programs inspired by Jewish values. These programs aim to advance social and economic justice for women, children, and families in the St. Louis area.
So where does it actually go? One big piece is a voucher system that gives free shopping help to people who need it most.
Vouchers go to underserved women, refugees, and people facing life emergencies. Someone starting over after a hard moment can walk out with clothing that fits their new chapter.
That detail changes how the whole store feels. The racks aren’t just inventory, they’re a resource for neighbors who need a little lift.
I believe that’s the smartest kind of shopping loop around. You donate, someone buys, and the money helps another person get back on their feet.
Next time you grab a jacket here, remember it’s doing double duty. It keeps you warm, and it helps keep a local program running strong.
Backpacks, Closets, And Programs With Big Hearts
Here’s a fun way to look at a receipt. Part of it might help a child pick out new school clothes.
Shop sales support the Back to School! Store, one of NCJWSTL’s best-known programs.
It helps local kids start the year with fresh gear and a confident step.
Another program supported by the shop is the Kids Community Closet. The name says it all, and it gives children access to clothing they need.
Then there’s the Jean Stein Bloch Wife Widow Woman program. It supports women going through major life changes, a time when steady help truly matters.
The Healing Hearts Bank is on the list too. Each program focuses on a different need, but they all share one source of funding power.
That source is the clothing, jewelry, and home goods moving through The Resale Shop every day. It’s a surprisingly direct path from a hanger to a helping hand.
I can’t imagine a better reason to finally clean out a closet. Your old coat could quietly become part of something much bigger in Missouri.
Mark Your Calendar For The Couturier Sale
Furs, fancy shoes, and designer purses all in one place? That’s the annual Couturier Sale, and it’s the shop’s headline event.
The sale features nearly new designer clothing, jewelry, furs, shoes, and purses. It’s basically a fashion lover’s version of a holiday morning.
What makes it stand out is the reach. The Couturier Sale draws shoppers from beyond the immediate region, which says a lot about the quality on display.
People don’t usually travel for a thrift run. When they do, you know something special is waiting on those racks.
The best strategy is to plan ahead. Keep an eye on NCJWSTL announcements so you know when the event is coming up each year.
Go in with a loose idea of what you want, but stay open. Maybe you came for shoes and leave with a statement necklace instead.
Like everything else at The Resale Shop, the Couturier Sale supports community programs. Your splurge becomes a gift, which is the best excuse for treating yourself I’ve heard in a while.
Boutique Vibes Without The Boutique Price Shock
Forget dusty bins and mystery piles. The Resale Shop prides itself on a welcoming, boutique-like atmosphere that sets it apart from a typical thrift store.
The goal is to make shopping feel pleasant, not like a treasure hunt in a basement. Organized displays help you find what you need faster.
Most of the floor leans toward women’s clothing and accessories. Still, men’s clothing, kids’ items, and home goods have their own spots too.
Since the store runs on donations, those smaller sections change often. One visit might bring a great blazer, and the next might offer a set of fine china.
Jewelry is a fun stop on any trip. Sparkly pieces can make a simple outfit feel brand new without much effort.
My tip is to shop with a list but keep your eyes wide open. Something unexpected usually grabs attention in a store like this.
Bring a friend if you can. A second opinion in the fitting room saves time, and you’ll have someone to brag to about your finds.
Your Closet Cleanout Keeps The Whole Thing Running
Donations are the fuel behind everything here. Without gently used items coming through the door, the racks would be empty and the programs would lose support.
The good news is that giving is easy. The shop accepts donations six days a week, so you don’t have to wait for a special drop-off day.
Quality matters, though. The store looks for gently used items in good shape, so skip the shirt with the mystery stain from 2009.
Clean clothes, working accessories, and nice home goods make the biggest impact. They sell faster, which means more money flows to community programs.
There’s an earth-friendly bonus too. The Resale Shop helps keep clothing out of landfills by giving good pieces a second life.
I like how one bag of donations does so many jobs at once. It clears your closet, helps the planet, and supports neighbors in Missouri.
Try making donating a habit each season. When the weather changes, pull out what you didn’t wear and bring it by on your next shopping trip.
Award Winners Who Also Shop In Pajamas Online
St. Louis Magazine named The Resale Shop “Best in Resale” in 2020. That’s a pretty shiny badge for a store built on donations.
The honor recognized what makes the shop different. Quality items, a polished setting, and a meaningful mission all add up to something worth noticing.
A year later, in 2021, the shop launched an online shopping platform. Suddenly, you didn’t have to be in the store to snag something good.
That move expanded the shop’s reach well beyond the sales floor. More shoppers can now support NCJWSTL programs, even from the comfort of their couch.
Online shopping is great for busy weeks. You can browse in a spare moment, then save your in-person trip for when you have time to really explore.
Still, I’d say the physical store deserves a visit at least once. Seeing the designer boutique up close is part of the fun.
Either way, the result stays the same. Each purchase, clicked or carried out, sends support back into the community.
A Bigger Home Is Coming Right Next Door
You’ll find the store at 295 North Lindbergh Boulevard in Creve Coeur, Missouri. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Saturday hours run from 10 AM to 5 PM. Sundays are closed, so plan your weekend shopping accordingly.
Now for the big news. The Resale Shop is preparing to move next door to a larger white building on Lindbergh Boulevard.
The last day at the current address is set for November 25, 2026. The move is planned for early December 2026.
The new space promises more room for merchandise and donations. It also adds improved features like extra fitting rooms and more checkout stations.
More fitting rooms might be the most exciting upgrade of all. Anyone who’s waited with an armful of clothes knows exactly why.
I can’t imagine a better way to start a new chapter for a shop with roots in 1941. Same mission, same Lindbergh neighborhood, just a lot more elbow room for great finds.
