My NorCal daughter-in-law has been touting the wonderfulness of this Sebastopol thrift store for years. I can't believe I finally got there and have missed this shopping mecca. Wow. Interestingly, it all began with one woman who, to put it gently, had a gathering of things habit (a gal after my own heart). Here's her story along with images of my experience at The Legacy.
Once upon a time there lived a talented woman named Bess. She lived in a large house in the City. Her children had grown up and left home. Bess started to collect and sell antiques. This did not satisfy her creative talent. She started buying a few fabrics and patterns and made things for her grandchildren. Everyone told her how beautiful her handiwork was, and urged her to share her crafted items with the world. So she did.Everyday, and into the night, she sat at her sewing machine and made bibs, place mats, napkins, fancy t-shirts, aprons, wall hangings, and more. She was a happy woman.On weekends, she would pack up all that she had made and sell them at craft shows. With the money she earned, she could buy more material to make more things to sell. Friends made at the craft shows shared their secrets about where fabric bargains were to be found.Years came and went and the cycle of buying and selling went on and on. The fabric remnants from projects and the bolts of fabric that weren’t quite right but not returned began to stack up. Banker’s boxes filled with leftovers mingled with her French Provincial décor. The extra four bedrooms in the house were filled. The family room was the next to be converted to storage. Hallways and stairways became narrow paths as space became more and more of a premium.After many years of happy sewing and selling, Bess’ health began to fail, and suddenly she was gone. Months later, the family decided to donate a portion of her fabric and craft collection to the Sebastopol Senior Day Services Program. This was in 1995. Beverly Martin, was the Coordinator of the program for frail elders in Sebastopol. Ms. Martin, together with her finance Committee, identified this gift as a legacy that could create an ongoing fundraising opportunity in the community of Sebastopol.The miracle of The Legacy has been fostered and supported by members in the community as they donate needed items such as a cash register, fabrics, craft items, and their time to staff the store.Bess’s legacy to the Sebastopol Senior Center is a gift that the entire community of Sebastopol can celebrate. This was the seed of a Legacy large enough to create the miracle of a new Senior Center that is large enough to serve the growing number of people who need and want to use it.And today, with the work of 50 volunteers, The Legacy thrives as a community gathering place. These volunteers are receiving donations, sorting, pricing, and perpetually organizing what we have. At the same time, they are a wealth of knowledge with skills and experience in all aspects of art/needlework. That would include garment making, quilting, doll-making, knitting/crochet, etc. etc. There is over 100 years of needle art experience at the store on most days!I hope this story explains my eagerness to return to The Legacy. I just love this story and the treasure hunt that is this store.
“Love is a well stocked craft room.”
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