New Bedford Thrift Shop Opens in Old Channel 6 Building

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — As someone who is constantly on the lookout for hidden treasures and loves discovering deals, I have to tell you about a new makeshift thrift store in New Bedford that is raising money for a good cause.

This past Saturday, I decided to take advantage of the nice late-summer weather by walking around Buttonwood Park Zoo, followed by an afternoon trip to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. While traveling between the two down County Street, I saw a sign outside of the former Channel 6 building that said “Estate Sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.”

The words “Estate Sale” are usually enough to get me to pull over, but add in a chance to see inside the former television studios? Sold!

Uncovering a Hidden Thrift Shop in Historic TV Studios

When I first entered the building, I saw a few baby carriages in the front hall that were for sale. Inside, a smallish room contained items like women’s shoes, handbags, glassware, household items and other bric-a-brac that isn’t usually on my thrifting shopping list.

That’s when the man who runs things, Felix Chavez, informed me that there were a lot more items in the other rooms.

When I walked into the former Channel 6 studio, I was blown away by how much stuff he had, well, stuffed in there.

One corner had electronics and toys. Another was reserved for books, all laid out on a shelf. Along one wall were tools and power equipment. Along the other were racks of clothes.

On the far side of the room, what looked to be more than a hundred Infinity bicycles were packed in as tightly as could fit.

I ended up leaving with an almost complete set of nearly-new golf clubs, just the right size for me, which is difficult considering I’m a short guy with even shorter arms. Once I got them home and started digging through the pockets, I found a brand-new box of golf balls worth about half of what I paid for the entire set. Score!

From New Bedford Storage Unit Hunts to a Saturday Storefront

Chavez told me he cleans out storage units, and roots through people’s forgotten trinkets to find silver and gold he can sell. People then told him he should open up a thrift shop with all the leftover items, so he rented out space in the former Channel 6 building to start doing just that. He’s currently open only on Saturdays, but said he may expand the days or hours in the future.

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Shopping Local While Giving Back Globally

He also said that 40 percent of all of his sales goes directly to his church, Iglesia Emanuel on Church Street in New Bedford, which they use to fund some of their missionary work.

“In the next few weeks, we’re bringing shoes, hats, clothes and food to 100 families in Honduras,” he said.

So if you decide to stop by some Saturday and sift through somebody else’s forgotten favorites and beloved baubles, know that you’re helping to do good while also scoring yourself a great deal.

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