At Wellspring’s thrift shops, every purchase helps strengthen the South Shore community.
By Laura DeSisto Photography by Kate Rogan
From a glittering cocktail dress to a vintage View-Master toy, the new Wellspring thrift shop is a destination for hidden gems and great deals. Located at Wellspring’s new Emilson Opportunity Hub in Weymouth, the shop is styled like an upscale boutique, with each item of clothing, accessories and housewares helping to support Wellspring’s mission.
Since 1985, Wellspring has served as a safe haven for South Shore residents in crisis. Founded by the late Rev. Diane Edson in a single storefront in Hull, the center began as a place where people in need could drop in for a cup of coffee, a warm coat, and a listening ear.
For the past 22 years, President Vinny Harte has guided Wellspring’s growth from a single storefront into a multi-service organization with 40 employees and a committed network of volunteers. Today, Wellspring offers case management, legal advocacy, adult education and job skills programs, food security assistance, direct client aid, and much more to support individuals and families throughout the region.
“What makes Wellspring distinct is that we provide wraparound services,” says Harte. “When someone comes to us with a specific need, our goal is to get below the surface to determine where the need is coming from. For example, if a client needs help with housing, is it because they’re struggling to find full-time employment? If so, how can we help address that so they can move toward independence?”
Faced with increasing demand for their services, Wellspring’s leadership made the decision to expand. In October 2025, the organization opened its second location, the Emilson Opportunity Hub and thrift shop in Weymouth. The new headquarters offers the same core services as the Hull location. With the added expenses associated with operating a second site, revenue from both stores has become more important than ever.
Wellspring President
and CEO Vinny Harte
“Our shop revenues make up a significant percentage of our annual income,” says Harte. “It’s great to have a funding source that supports our mission beyond monetary donations.”
For many people, a visit to one of Wellspring’s thrift shops is also their first introduction to the organization.
“We’ve created a very welcoming environment, with comfortable furniture and refreshments,” says Angela Lippens, the manager of Wellspring’s Weymouth thrift shop. “We’re here if visitors want to chat or learn more about our services. Of course, many people come in simply to shop, score a bargain, or find a hidden gem.”
Lippens says both the Hull and Weymouth locations are always grateful for clean, gently used or new donations. “Our simple guideline is that we only display and sell items we would use ourselves,” she says. Donors might be surprised to learn that clean towels, in good condition, are among the most wanted items. “Towels are expensive and everyone needs them,” says Lippens.
For some shoppers, that first visit to the thrift shop is simply about finding something special at a great price. For others, it inspires a deeper connection to Wellspring’s mission.
The Ayla Impact
American Idol finalist and Weymouth resident Ayla Brown is a self-described die-hard thrifter.
“Besides the fact that I love a great bargain, I really appreciate that thrifting is good for the environment,” says Brown. She learned to thrift from her mother, WCVB-TV broadcast journalist Gail Huff. The two discovered the Wellspring thrift shop during one of their many shopping trips together.
“We couldn’t get over the low prices and how clean and organized the shop was,” says Brown, who quickly became a frequent Wellspring shopper. On one visit, she discovered a set of authentic Waterford crystal wine glasses priced at just $15 each.
“My husband and I had just been to Ireland, where similar glasses were selling for more than $160,” she says. “You never know what treasures you’ll find at Wellspring.”
The host of The Flyover Podcast, a national news program that airs daily, Brown is on camera five days a week and often turns to Wellspring for wardrobe staples. “I need to wear a different top every day,” she says. “That can get very expensive if you shop in a traditional retail store.” Brown says she regularly finds brands such as Talbots, J.Crew, and Zara, with prices as low as $4.
“Some items are unworn and still have the original tags,” she says. “I’m buying them for less than the price of a cup of coffee, while also supporting a wonderful cause.”
Brown became a Trustee of the Foundation for Wellspring in 2025 and often volunteers in the shop. As a mother of two young sons, Brown also appreciates the shop’s toy section. “A trip to Wellspring is such a treat for my boys,” she says. “My 3-year-old now asks to go at least once a week.” When Brown started posting on social media about her thrift-store finds the store manager immediately noticed an uptick in sales.
“There’s not a day that goes by when someone doesn’t come in and say they saw one of Ayla’s posts and decided to check us out,” Lippens says. “She’s been a real beam of bright light for us.”
Follow her thrifting finds on Instagram
@aylabrownofficial or at
facebook.com/aylabrownmusic.
Wellspring’s Donation Wish List:
Pots and pans
Towels
Sheet sets
Casual men’s clothing
Contemporary women’s clothing
Small kitchen appliances
(toasters, coffee makers, etc.)
Books
(contemporary fiction and nonfiction)
To learn more about Wellspring’s services
and thrift shop donation guidelines,
visit wellspring.org.
