Mishop Means Magic to ASP Students

By MERIDETH TUMASZ

A totally new type of scavenger hunt filled the red barn at St. Paul’s School (SPS) on Wednesday, July 7. Adventures lurked in every rack and surprises were found on every hanger. With an eclectic collection of items ranging from hockey goalie pads to jumpsuits, the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) community was in for an interesting afternoon.

The afternoon marked the summer's grand opening of the Mishop, a thrift store run by the St. Paul's School Missionary Society. All things in the Mishop were either left behind or donated by the winter school students.

“Nothing is wasted,” said Ann Rettew, a key member in running Mishop during the summer.

With every item only a dollar, kids wanted to spend, spend, spend. The first Mishop during this summer's ASP was able to collect $730. All the proceeds from the Mishop go to the Missionary Society, which is the oldest and longest running SPS organization. They do a wide variety of community service projects throughout the winter school and the money they raise from Mishop goes to programs that help children and women in the greater Concord Area. The next opening will be held Wednesday, July 28, from 2-4 pm at the red barn across from Memorial Hall. What follows here is a sampling of what ASP students discovered during their adventures in the Mishop.

“If Jesus was a store, and it wasn’t The Gap, it would be Mishop.” This is how Manville’s Jordan D. described St. Paul’s own version of a yard sale. “It was a crowded, sweaty, slice of heaven,” said Jordan.

Jordan was able to find: teddy bear pajama shirt, blue blazer, American Eagle cardigan, French girl t-shirt, rainbow toe socks, red jacket, sparkly cowboy hat, brown checkered shirt, black jean shorts, embellished New York shirt, and a pair of bright red corduroy pants, only for $11. All items purchased will be part of his everyday school attire at Bedford High School, he says.

As shown by model Tim Campbell from Brewster, there are always a few surprises at Mishop. A blue-mesh ripped hoodie is always a hit with the ladies!

Patrick Hart of Brewster was able to find floral tights, tweed pants (not pictured), a suit jacket still in good shape, and a chemistry textbook in Korean, just for fun. His strategy for finding the best stuff? Look where other people have not.

Armour resident, Amber Craghead, snagged a pair of J. Crew jeans with the still-attached tags reading $79.99. Ms. Craghead’s secret to success is “to not pass through a rack, take your time.”

In James Kiefner’s opinion, Mishop is “where dreams come true.” This Foster House resident was able to accumulate Under Armour shoes, a snazzy sweater vest, collared shirt, pillow, and a binder, all for five dollars.

Armed with the motto of “don’t be afraid to fight” David White of Foster won some sweet threads at Mishop. Three dollars later, Mr. White left with a jumpsuit, a collared shirt, and a t-shirt with “The Gun” written on the back. To him, Mishop was “worth every second.”