Contact usJUNIOR LEAGUE OF BALTIMORE COMMEMORATED GRAND RE-OPENING OF WISE PENNY THRIFT STORE AND NEW HEADQUARTERS LOCATION ON TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2009.
The Junior League of Baltimore (JLB) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, from 5:00pm-7:00pm to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of its thrift store, The Wise Penny, and its new headquarters. Guests and distinguished dignitaries, including First Lady Katie O’Malley and Councilman Bill Henry, joined representatives from the Junior League of Baltimore to commemora
te the ceremony.
The renovations expanded the building to a total of 12,000 square feet and included the addition of a second floor. The building was completely renovated to include new flooring, lighting and paint. In addition, new dressing rooms were added to The Wise Penny store and additional storage space was added, which will allow the store to accept more inventory and provide better quality items to its shoppers. The Junior League of Baltimore also relocated its headquarters from various temporary locations to the second floor of the building above The Wise Penny store which will enable the JLB to serve as a participant in important community issues and activities in Govans.
The newly renovated store will allow the Junior League of Baltimore to increase sales and expand its outreach throughout the community. Increased revenue from sales, will allow the JLB to expand its community initiatives to meet the needs of the Govans community and other surrounding Baltimore neighborhoods. The new community and headquarters’ meeting space, located above The Wise Penny, will be used to host community events, training seminars for members of the JLB and other nonprofits, along with community activities, classes and programs.
"Since our inception in 1912, the Junior League of Baltimore has served thousands of Marylanders through its c
ommunity programs and the leadership development of its members,” said Stephanie Bartal, President of The Junior League of Baltimore. “Our longest running program, The Wise Penny Thrift Store, has netted more than $2.5 million in its 40 years of operations and needed renovations to meet the expanding needs of the community.”
The Wise Penny has served the community since 1968 by providing affordable, gently used clothing and housewares. In addition, The Wise Penny has provided free clothing donations to local churches and families in need throughout Baltimore. The Wise Penny is the JLB’s longest running fundraiser and funds nearly 40 percent of its annual operating budget. In 2007, an internship program was launched at The Wise Penny providing at-risk women the opportunity to gain work experience by working at The Wise Penny. The JLB provids mentoring to help these women re-enter the workforce.
Make a contribution to the Junior League of Baltimore's Building Opportunities Campaign.
Be a permanent part of our new headquarters and Wise Penny by joining our Buy a Brick Campaign.
Read Baltimore Messenger article about Grand Opening Celebration.
