The Bargain Box was founded in 1957 by four ladies who wanted to raise money to furnish the parsonage of what was then the called the Niceville United Methodist Church. The church and its campus has grown, with Crosspoint serving five locations in Okaloosa County.

            Bargain Box operated on a volunteer basis for several years, although now it supports two full-time employees and two part-time employees. Between 60 to 70 volunteers keep the shop running.

            Bargain Box puts its funds toward Crosspoint ministries and toward community outreach organizations such as the Sharing & Caring foodbank and Children in Crisis.

            Angel’s Attic also supports church-related ministries as well as community outreach organizations. The shop recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and like the Bargain Box, it was founded by a group of Holy Name parishioners that held an annual rummage sale to raise funds.

            “We’re all volunteers here,” said Pat Honstetter, chairwoman of the Angel’s Attic board. Angel’s Attic operates with about 30 volunteers. Honstetter held a brief phone interview, with three other representatives sitting in a separate in-person interview.

            Pat Tusai, who serves as the thrift store’s advisor and a board member, brings with her extensive thrift store knowledge.

            “Our prices, the majority of our clothing, it’s a dollar,” she said. “And we frequently run 50 percent off.”

            It is the pricing and selection, she added, that brings in shoppers—people looking for bargains.

            “We have a lot of foreign nationals who come in,” Tusai said. “They send (merchandise) back to their home countries.”

            Tusai also noted that in August, as students prepared to go to college and university, she saw many parents shopping for household items such as dishes and cooking utensils.

            “I don’t think there’s any one items that sells better,” she also said.

            Board member Pat D’Aquila, who was part of the in-person interview, said that Angel’s Attic sells everything but furniture.

            “I think there’re more younger people coming in, too,” she said, adding that they are often shopping for fast-growing children.

            Galpin, who was also part of the in-person interview, said that the Angel’s Attic volunteers are vigilant in what goes on the floor.

            “If it has stains on it, it doesn’t go on the floor,” she said. What doesn’t sell is packaged and donated to Waterfront Mission, which operates a larger thrift store venue.

            Both of these church-based thrift shops operate like commercial retail shops. The shelves are organized, inventory is rotated, seasonal items get front-of-store placement. Parking for both shops is plentiful and convenient. Both shops accept donations directly at their stores.

            Angel’s Attic: Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 1:00 and on Saturday 9:00 to 12:00.  Angel’s Attic is located at 1200 Valparaiso Blvd., Niceville; 

            Bargain Box: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; donations during shop hours. Bargain Box is located at 214 Partin Dr. S., Niceville;