Flatbush, Brooklyn – I’ve walked and driven past it countless times.
But I never knew what I was passing.
It looked like a local boutique, almost like every other local clothing store… but it was on a backstreet, away from most of the foot traffic.
I had often wondered how Bobbie’s Place stayed in business with so poor a location, but they always looked busy when I walked by, recently more busy than ever.
I also wondered why Bobbie’s Place had so much activity when they had frosted glass in place of a window display.
Then I found out what Bobbie’s Place really is.
Bobbie’s Place is a store unlike any other. Sure, they have selection and assortment, customer service and a smile, but there is one key difference. At Bobbie’s Place, even those facing economic stress can shop stress free. Because Bobbie’s Place is free.
Bobbie’s Place is a charity, but they aren’t in the business of giving out handouts, they are in the business of making people feel like the people they are, despite their economic stature.
I don’t know how they pay the bills. And it breaks my heart to see that their business is booming as the seasons change and the economy takes a dip.
And while I don’t know the proprietor, I have run into familiar faces on that block, on my walk back from the Subway at the end of the day. It’s a difficult sight to see, but it’s better than the alternative.
There is an angel in Midwood, someone who cares not just about the health, but the well being and pride of their customers, even if they’ve never paid a penny.
There is a lot we can learn from Bobbie’s Place. We can learn how to treat a customer, how to treat a person. We can learn how to give without making anyone feel like a charity case. We can learn how to respect a customer. Respect is free, respect is valuable.
With Chanukah upon us, maybe we can spend a little bit of time giving back.
Because everyone needs a Bobbie’s Place. And whether you recognize it or not, someone in your circle of friends, family or neighborhood needs some financial help, needs a boost to their pride, needs a smiling face.
We can all use a little more smile in our lives. Let’s spread some love, we’re all in this together. Let’s face tomorrow with unity, pride and respect. Because G-D knows, respect is one commodity we all value and it doesn’t cost a penny.
(Written by John Burg)
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8 Responses
Wow! That’s amazing. May Hashem grant the owner many happy, healthy, and prosperous years to continue their wonderful work.
R”L, it is very much needed.
Mi ke’amacha yisrael!
what’s shameful about buying used clothes, here in isreael it is much more acceptable in the chutznik crowd than in the native yerushalmi crowd, in fact each time i tell the women who run these places that they increase shalom bayint because when one can buy for five skekels versus fifty shekels it reduces the stress in the home and our husbands can learn with peace of mind. chazak ubaruch all the wonderful people who run the thrift shops
to comment #4: Bobbies place does not sell used clothes. Every thing they distribute is FREE. There is absolutely no charge, and the vast majority of what they give away is brand new, current clothing, of the same type that people who can afford would buy for their own children. It is truly a remarkable organization!
#4 – It is not used clothing – it is NEW!! Check the website: http://www.bobbiesplace.org/media.htm
May Hashem bless the Schick’s with much bracha and hatzlacha in the zechus of this great chesed.
Just beautiful. May this family be zoche to continue to do many more chasodim for klal yisroel and may their zechusim grow exponentially.
This is the most amazing gemach! My school brought some of us girls on an end of the year chessed trip and it was so inspiring. In fact, there was a beautiful skirt I was struggling to give away because it was tznius but border line and I was able to get myself to give it away, because I knew that it would be going to an amazing gemach,so after much struggle, I gave the skirt to Bobbie’s place. The Schick’s are phenomenal people! They should only have hatzlacha in every aspect of their lives, and continue to be able to do the inspiring work they are doing! We can all learn from what they do!