The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County are closing their two remaining thrift stores.
The stores arrived on the scene in the 1960s, selling donated clothing and furniture at bargain prices. The last two stores will shut down on Dec. 23 and partner with Goodwill.
Executive Director Anne Watson said in a statement the St. Vincent de Paul Society stores have struggled to compete with online retailers, and even Facebook garage sales. Watson says there are a number of second-hand shops now, and more people are looking to sell used items than donate them.
The stores will sell items marked down by 75 percent before the closing. The St. Vincent de Paul Society itself is NOT closing, and as a result of the new partnership their store employees will be offered similar positions by Goodwill.
