Retail therapy that doesn’t break the bank

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles”…and In Full Swing. These are a few of my favorite things.

In Full Swing is a thrift shop at 225 W. State St. in Doylestown that sells clothing for men, women and children, including coats and jackets, also jewelry, vintage, all kinds of accessories, shoes, costumes, and housewares.

If you have a case of the late winter blahs, I promise you will find a welcome respite here. It’s the best place to conduct an adult treasure hunt in Bucks County. Treat yourself to a little retail therapy that won’t break the bank. I do every week, and let me tell you, the place renews my will to live and restores my faith in humanity all in one fell shopping swoop.

Donna Fedorak is the manager, and under her leadership the merchandise at the shop is always free of signs of wear and attractively displayed. Donna began as a volunteer in 2013 and became manager in 2014. She was promoted to director of retail operations in 2019. Before all this, she was a standard-bred horse owner and trainer.

Her average day is spent walking the sales floor and identifying gaps in merchandise, managing schedules for volunteers, setting up tasks for staff and volunteers, researching and pricing items to be put on the selling floor, and ensuring the shop offers the best customer service to its patrons.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of this thrift shop. “I sincerely appreciate all the time and effort our volunteers are willing to give us,” says Donna. “The store could not exist without their continual support.”

The average price point for women’s and men’s apparel is $6. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but I know their $1 and $5 clearance racks are to die for. I have found incredible bargains on these racks. My friends and coworkers often admire some of my finds and have called me a liar when I reported I bought them at a thrift shop.

Personally, I wouldn’t know a clothing designer from a plumber but if you like impressive labels, In Full Swing has a Something Special section that includes high-end vintage and new items with the original store tags still attached.

Special shout out to teenyboppers. (Remember when the old people used to call us that?) With prom season fast approaching, come check out the selection of formal dresses.

Another shout-out to parents of young children: Kids usually outgrow their clothes before they have a chance to wear them out. At In Full Swing, you will find an amazing selection of baby and toddler clothes that will make your child not only fashionable at their preschool but also most likely to attract a suitable future mate from a good family.

In addition to formal wear, you’ll find semi-formal, casual, and business casual.

The dressing rooms are clean and comfortable. The staff is accommodating. There is great variety. Who could ask for anything more?

But there is more. You can feel good about yourself shopping here because 100% of the shop’s proceeds go to supporting A Woman’s Place, the only domestic violence community benefit organization in Bucks County that provides a full range of programs and services to individuals experiencing domestic violence, their children, and the community.

All clients of A Woman’s Place shop at In Full Swing for free.

“Working for A Woman’s Place,” Donna says, “has furthered my awareness of our clients and their needs, and it has been very rewarding knowing how much the staff and volunteers contribute to helping this domestic violence support group.”

In addition to shopping, you can help by donating gently used merchandise or by volunteering. I often notice teens here volunteering as a way of getting the community service hours some high schools require for graduation. And retirees can spend a pleasant hour or two joining others in helping a worthwhile organization and having fun in the process.

In Full Swing is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Information about donating or volunteering is available on its website.

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