As Big Blue Bargains held a ribbon cutting to its new shopping space inside Clarke Elementary School, the non-profit thrift store recorded its highest sales Saturday since re-opening in February 2025.
Not long after the ribbon was cut and the doors opened, clothing and other items were flying off the shelves as customers shuffled through the store made up of old classrooms.
Big Blue Bargains is operated by volunteers. Apart from some money from sales used to maintain the store, all proceeds are donated to various organizations and schools in Swampscott. Over the last year, over $27,000 in money made from Big Blue Bargains sales was given back.
“We’ve been focused on moving, setting up and making a more shopper friendly and donation friendly space so we can make a bigger impact on the community,” said Rachel Taradash, who sits on the Big Blue Bargains Board of Directors.
For Big Blue Bargains, more space allows for more to offer. Along with a wide range of clothing, household items are aplenty.
“This really gives us more space to spread out, to accept more items, sell more items and it gives a much better shopping experience,” said Taradash. “People can look through clothes without being totally crammed together.”
To celebrate the opening, the five-woman board of directors and their 14 children gathered outside of the school doors as customers eagerly, but patiently, waited to have first looks at the items for sale.
“We’re all really proud of this,” said Taradash. “We all worked really hard and sacrificed a lot of time with our families. We’ve spent long hours here after work every day. We’re really excited.”
Big Blue Bargains closed for a week to completely focus on moving and setting up the new space. Taradash said it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of volunteers.
“We all live here,” she said. “We all have children in schools here. I think that giving back to Swampscott and improving Swampscott for every resident is really important to us.”
The amount of money generated from sales made Saturday marked one of the most successful days of the past year for Big Blue Bargains, according to Laura Lynn, who also sits on the board of directors.
“We’re hoping to expand and increase our financial impact on the community,” said Taradash. “The more organizations we can support, the more initiatives we can support, the better.”
With their new and improved shop, the non-profit has added Mondays to its hours of operation and looks to keep expanding and helping the community.
Big Blue Bargains is open on Monday and Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The entrance to the shop is on the Norfolk Avenue side of Clarke Elementary School.
