Savers Thrift Store Opens 15th New England Location, Third in Conn.

NEWINGTON, Conn., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Savers thrift store chain today announced the grand opening of its Newington, Conn. location, which marks the 15th store in New England and the third in Connecticut.  Stores opened in Orange, Conn. and Manchester, Conn. in January 2010 and June 2009, respectively.  

Carrying everything from men's, women's and children's clothing and accessories, to housewares, electronics, furniture and more, Savers stocks more than 5,000 items to the sales floor daily, ensuring customers continuously find a refreshed assortment of quality, value fashions.  At 29,588-square feet, the location will also house a drive-through Community Donation Center, providing a convenient place for residents to drop off their quality reusable clothing and household goods free of charge.  For every donated item, Savers pays Big Brothers Big Sisters, turning otherwise unused goods into pure sustainable funding that supports Big Brothers Big Sisters' programs and services in the local community.

"We're excited about our growth in the region and thrilled to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters, so we can provide them with a reliable source of revenue that supports vital programs right in our own community," said Rick Brousseau, the new store manager. "In 2009 alone, Savers paid more than $127 million to community charity partners throughout its international network. We look forward to growing that number in the coming year."

The grand opening festivities kicked off on Wednesday, Feb. 24, with a special preview event for area community leaders and media that offered a sneak peek at the new store and included a fashion show coordinated by local style expert Debbie Wright. The new store comes in conjunction with an increasing thrift shopping trend, which is one of the fastest growing retail segments. Lifestyle, economy and social trends have contributed to the growth, including the popularity of do-it-yourself ("DIY") projects, "shabby chic" decor, renewed interest in vintage clothing, and importantly, environment- and budget-conscious consumers. Last year alone, Savers kept more than 500 million pounds of unwanted clothes from ending up in landfills.

"Savers thrift stores are real treasure troves for savvy shoppers, from bargain hunters to fashion trendsetters, craft enthusiasts, collectors and more," said Wright. "Each Savers store is stocked with a continuous flow of merchandise, making every trip an adventure full of surprise! Right now, with leggings and oversized sweaters so in, Savers is a great spot to find your own style that fits with current trends."

The Newington store and Big Brothers Big Sisters Community Donation Center, located at 3137 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT  06111, will be open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm. For more information, customers may contact the store directly at 860-665-0893 or visit www.savers.com.  

About Savers, Inc.

Founded in 1954, Savers, Inc. is a privately held for-profit international thrift store chain with more than 240 locations in the United States, Canada and Australia. Also known as Value Village in the western United States and Canadian provinces (and as Village des Valeurs in Quebec), the company benefits more than 128 local non-profit offices by purchasing and reselling donated items. The result has been over one billion dollars directly paid to non-profit organizations. The company employs more than 12,000 people in 25 states, 10 Canadian provinces and Australia. Visit www.savers.com for more information.

SOURCE Savers, Inc.