Newest Storefront To Open Bringing More Vibrancy, The Vandy Thrift Shoppe Is Welcomed To Downtown

April 29, 2022

Supporting Impact Downtown Plan implementation, a thrift store was identified specifically as a possible key storefront that would complement downtown’s retail landscape. Made possible in part thanks to the vision of longtime Vanderheyden supporter and downtown resident Tracy Metzger, The Vandy Thrift Shoppe at 412 Broadway was officially welcomed to downtown Albany today.

The Vandy is a 3,000-square-foot store that is chock full of carefully arranged, preowned merchandise, the proceeds of which all go directly back to support Vanderheyden.

For close to two centuries, Vanderheyden has relied on community contributions to assist in its mission of caring for children with special developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs, enabling the organization to provide kids and their families with a wide range of support and services.

Those contributions come in many forms including funding, volunteer hours, and donations of gently used clothing, toys, and household goods. Many of these items go to individuals in need, but thanks to the generosity of Capital Region residents, a surplus has started to build up.

The Vandy was awarded a grant through the Downtown Albany Retail Grant Program to support signage and renovations. The program is administer by Capitalize Albany Corporation, made possible with support from the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation..

The Vandy will also serve as an extension of the Vanderheyden Career Center by providing an opportunity for participants in Vanderheyden’s vocational programs to gain retail experience.

The Vandy is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re interested in donating, you can drop your offerings at the 412 Broadway location, or at Venderheyden’s career center at 586 Cooper Hill Rd., Wynantskill. For more information, visit https://www.vanderheyden.org/news_and_events/The-Vandy-Spring-and-Summer-Clothing_102_pg.htm.