(June 2, 2016) Berlin’s Church Mouse Thrift Shop has done big things during its 50 years of existence, having supported scores of local nonprofits and helped countless individuals and families get back on their feet during times of need.
It was no surprise, then, to see a throng of supporters present last Thursday as the little-shop-that-could celebrated its anniversary with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony on Main Street.
Following a blessing by the Rev. Michael D. Moyer, the rector’s at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where the shop operates, Berlin Councilmember Troy Purnell and Del. Mary Beth Carozza presented official proclamations to the Church Mouse.
Accepting was Helen Wiley, who has run the shop for the last 10 years.
“I want to thank everyone that has come out tonight to celebrate this time,” Wiley said. “I really appreciate the support, because the support I have received from this community – it’s just overwhelming.”
Among those on the sidewalk outside the Church Mouse’s home at 101 Main Street, were dozens of faces familiar to Wiley, many of whom were longtime customers.
“The customers not only buy, but they also bring me donations,” she said. “I’d also like to thank many of the local merchants right here in the town of Berlin, because many of [them] have been so generous in donating items to me new, or gently used – sometimes brand new.
“I can’t name all the merchants because it’s just too many, but I would say it’s this whole community of Berlin,” she added. “A lot of the merchants have been very good about giving me some pointers.”
Wiley was a retired sign language teacher when she came to town, and had no retail experience. Still, she dove in and has since become an integral part of the shop and the town itself.
When she took over, it was for a pair of volunteers who essentially ran the store by themselves. By the time they retired, both of them were well into their 90s.
Today, Wiley operates with the help of about a dozen volunteers. The Berlin and Ocean Pines chambers of commerce also lend support and helped raise awareness for the Church Mouse, she said.
She also singled out Michael Day, former Berlin Main Street coordinator and the town’s economic and development director. Day, who has since become the economic development director in Snow Hill, was on the sidewalk watching the ceremony.
“The Church Mouse is great, because it’s been here for so long, and it does great charity work,” Day said. “Everybody benefits from it, from the people to all the nonprofits it’s helped support over the years.”
Shelly Bruder, owner of Bruder Hill, agreed.
“Everybody does benefit,” she said. “It’s an outreach ministry, and it and the church that has been running it for all these years has been amazing for the town.”
Also at the ceremony was Police Chief Arnold Downing, who surprised several longtime friends in Berlin.
“The Church Mouse is awesome. It’s been around ever since I’ve been around,” Downing said. “You see folks lined up every summer to go ahead and see what’s good. It’s one of those good things that supports the community.”
Along with the volunteers who help run the store, Wiley said she wanted everyone to remember Annabelle Hastings and Ruth Neville, whose efforts helped the shop grow from its first home as part of the Atlantic Hotel, to a small space with dirt floors and stove heat on Old Ocean City Boulevard, to its current place on Berlin’s thriving Main Street.
“They are the ones that really initiated this whole idea of this outreach,” she said. “It all goes back to what they started.”
It was no surprise, then, to see a throng of supporters present last Thursday as the little-shop-that-could celebrated its anniversary with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony on Main Street.
Following a blessing by the Rev. Michael D. Moyer, the rector’s at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where the shop operates, Berlin Councilmember Troy Purnell and Del. Mary Beth Carozza presented official proclamations to the Church Mouse.
Accepting was Helen Wiley, who has run the shop for the last 10 years.
“I want to thank everyone that has come out tonight to celebrate this time,” Wiley said. “I really appreciate the support, because the support I have received from this community – it’s just overwhelming.”
Among those on the sidewalk outside the Church Mouse’s home at 101 Main Street, were dozens of faces familiar to Wiley, many of whom were longtime customers.
“The customers not only buy, but they also bring me donations,” she said. “I’d also like to thank many of the local merchants right here in the town of Berlin, because many of [them] have been so generous in donating items to me new, or gently used – sometimes brand new.
“I can’t name all the merchants because it’s just too many, but I would say it’s this whole community of Berlin,” she added. “A lot of the merchants have been very good about giving me some pointers.”
Wiley was a retired sign language teacher when she came to town, and had no retail experience. Still, she dove in and has since become an integral part of the shop and the town itself.
When she took over, it was for a pair of volunteers who essentially ran the store by themselves. By the time they retired, both of them were well into their 90s.
Today, Wiley operates with the help of about a dozen volunteers. The Berlin and Ocean Pines chambers of commerce also lend support and helped raise awareness for the Church Mouse, she said.
She also singled out Michael Day, former Berlin Main Street coordinator and the town’s economic and development director. Day, who has since become the economic development director in Snow Hill, was on the sidewalk watching the ceremony.
“The Church Mouse is great, because it’s been here for so long, and it does great charity work,” Day said. “Everybody benefits from it, from the people to all the nonprofits it’s helped support over the years.”
Shelly Bruder, owner of Bruder Hill, agreed.
“Everybody does benefit,” she said. “It’s an outreach ministry, and it and the church that has been running it for all these years has been amazing for the town.”
Also at the ceremony was Police Chief Arnold Downing, who surprised several longtime friends in Berlin.
“The Church Mouse is awesome. It’s been around ever since I’ve been around,” Downing said. “You see folks lined up every summer to go ahead and see what’s good. It’s one of those good things that supports the community.”
Along with the volunteers who help run the store, Wiley said she wanted everyone to remember Annabelle Hastings and Ruth Neville, whose efforts helped the shop grow from its first home as part of the Atlantic Hotel, to a small space with dirt floors and stove heat on Old Ocean City Boulevard, to its current place on Berlin’s thriving Main Street.
“They are the ones that really initiated this whole idea of this outreach,” she said. “It all goes back to what they started.”