Fabulous at Fifty: Bargain Basket Celebration

Temperatures in the mid-80s greeted revelers at Veterans Community Park on Marco Island on Saturday, April 5, to celebrate 50 years of Marco’s favorite thrift shop with music, line dancing, and good food.

“It’s a very exciting event,” said Samantha Kopren, director of operations for United Church of Marco Island (UCMI), “because we’ve reached a huge milestone. It’s 50 years of serving the whole community, which is a big thing for us.”

The Bargain Basket, the hugely successful thrift store located on Bald Eagle Drive, is a ministry of UCMI. 

“We haven’t had a chance to celebrate with the community in quite a few years, since we did those fashion shows,” said Kopren.

Bargain Basket manager Bill Johenning echoed Kopren’s sentiments.

"I think it's a monumental milestone in the history of the Bargain Basket,” Johenning said. "I hope it goes another 50 years. I'm just super honored that I'm here and part of this team at this time. It's a unique time to be here. I've been with the Bargain Basket for almost four years, and it's just been a wonderful organization to be associated with. I feel like it is really starting to transform. As we look to the future, we're going to be building a new building and expanding the Bargain Basket. As we look to the future, we honor those from the past. Our founder, Betty Ringler, who started all this, and then looking to the future, it's very exciting.”

Pastor Ed Brandt welcomed City Council Chairman Erik Brechnitz to the stage to read a proclamation from the City of Marco Island. Meanwhile, attendees enjoyed face painting, compliments of the Marco Island Academy Key Club, live music from Christian artist Brandon Swope, and the John Toussaint jazz ensemble. Food trucks fed the crowd and the Optimist Club of Marco Island was there serving up sno cones.

Since giving is in their DNA, Kopren and Johenning made sure to include Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.

“Our Daily Bread is here today,” said Kopren, "which is a great partnership that we've been a part of since their inception. They're one of the biggest organizations that UCMI and the Bargain Basket supports. So, we really wanted to show off that partnership and bring awareness to their needs, too. A lot of people are heading north right now. It's a great chance for them to bring some of their non-perishables that they're not going to eat in time.”

Kopren and Johenning reflected on why the Bargain Basket is so beloved in the community.

"I think there's a few things,” said Kopren. "Number one, that feeling that you get when you go in there. We learned that a lot in the surveys. It's that friendly atmosphere, that welcoming atmosphere. The staff and volunteers have a ton of fun. There's that sense of community that's also partnered with the missions that we support. Everybody wants a chance to give back. And what better way to support the community than donating and shopping and volunteering?”

“I think the volunteers certainly have a huge sense of pride in what they do,” Johenning said. “They love what they do. They love the mission. They're connected to it. I think they feel super grateful and honored to be part of that. And it shows. When they're there every day, they're really friendly. I think we've got such wonderful people that donate and support the cause. Every day is a treasure hunt. As the stuff comes in, we sort through it, and the customers come in. So many people are daily shoppers. They line up at 9:00 AM just waiting for those doors to open to see what treasures they're going to find. It's exciting to be part of it on multiple levels, from the missions and the giving, to the potential treasure you may find. Just to be at a happy place. For all the volunteers, it's their happy place. And we really want that to spill over not only to the volunteers but to the customers as well. And I think it does."

Of course, the hunt for a bargain is a huge part of the Bargain Basket’s popularity.

"It's the thrill of the hunt, you know,” Kopren said. "Am I going to find something at a bargain price that can make me a millionaire? You know, everybody watches those shows on TV."

"And they do,” Johenning said. “They find them, and they're there to be had. They exist. I think that's what keeps them coming back. It's that needle in a haystack. But the needle is there if you look hard enough. We're very meticulous on what we put out. With the high volume, both on the giving and on the purchasing, it allows us to turn over that inventory constantly. Things don't sit in back. They get dropped off and they're immediately processed and put out front. So that's why if you come every day, you're always going to see something new.”