The last time we checked in with the resident-led Peddler’s Shop at Phoebe Berks, we learned about the major facelift the shop had received, turning a once easy-to-miss storefront into a vibrant, playful, and inviting display of community talent.
Recently, the shop hosted another grand reopening following a slew of new interior upgrades aimed at increasing accessibility for residents with walkers and wheelchairs.
Previously, the second-hand shop (which sells goods donated by residents at wildly affordable prices) had been burdened by two large tables placed directly in the middle of the room. This had posed a unique challenge for residents with wheelchairs or walkers navigating the shop.
The issue was further exacerbated by antiquated item displays that made it difficult for residents to bend down to select items.
Sensing a need for something better, resident Patsy Sabold and her husband Carl enlisted the help of resident volunteers to revamp the shop with a more open-concept design.
What ensued were months of planning and reshuffling to open up the shop floor and rearrange items for easier access.
Fellow residents Darlene and Thomas Stauffer, who were also involved in the updates to the shop’s façade, offered their services by crafting new wooden shelves.
The shop’s interior was also given a fresh coat of paint, livening up the space compared to its previous beige color.
The community’s hard work and selflessness have successfully transformed the shop into something much more accessible to residents of all mobility levels. There is plenty of room inside for multiple residents.
“It’s fabulous,” says Sabold. “It’s been fun for us to watch the progression of it all. Seeing the vision for the shop realized was magical.”
Sabold, one of the leading voices for the Peddler’s Shop, says the community’s help is what got the shop to where it is today. Beyond the renovations, residents also volunteer to help run the shop. Resident Sandra Leidich, for example, often fills the role of cashier in addition to her longstanding support of the shop’s growth.
Money raised by the Peddler’s Shop goes directly back into the campus through the Wellness Center.
“I think that’s the greatest thing,” says Sabold. “It’s just the spirit of making a place better. I’m sure there are other lovely retirement communities, but I don’t think you could beat Phoebe for the people, the kindness, and the generosity.”
At the time of the shop’s reopening, dozens of residents came by to take a look in the first 30 minutes alone. The shop was recently stocked with fall décor, along with its usual assortment of kitchenware, jewelry, art, and more.
The shop has also become somewhat of a social hub, amassing “regulars” who return every two weeks when the shop opens. It’s clear that the Phoebe Berks community has fully embraced the project with love.
The Peddler’s Shop continues to be a great shopping option for residents, particularly those who may not drive anymore. Sabold says the community plans to keep improving the shop in the future, which includes even more shelving.
The Peddler’s Shop is open every 1st and 4th Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To learn more about Phoebe Berks, please visit phoebe.org/berks.
Written by Dominic Trabosci
