A gentleman brought into Boca Bargains several
boxes of clothes donated by his wife. The volunteer
remarked, “These are all extremely nice clothes.”
One week later, a lady came in and explained she
was out of town, and her husband brought in the
wrong boxes of clothes. The clothes for Boca
Bargains were still at her house! She asked if she
could have her good clothes back. Unfortunately,
they had been priced and put out. Volunteers told
her to see what was left on the racks and she
could certainly take hers back. She found very few.
She left, saying she was headed home to get her
husband’s credit card.
So many stories about Boca Bargains exist –
whether it be the unusual items donated, the
famous customers, or customers buying back
donated items. Perhaps those historical
memories of Boca Bargains are the most important
benefi ts of this incredibly successful venture
run by Boca Grande Woman’s Club volunteers.
The “gain” which has been accomplished is not
only of fi nancial benefi t to our community, but
to the volunteers of the Boca Grande Woman’s
Club in the development of friendships and
camaraderie among members. This may be the
real “treasure” in the history of Boca Bargains.
Rummage sales were probably the early
predecessors of Boca Bargains. Held as a one-day
annual event, the “Rummage Sale” started in the
1960s. In the early years when it was fi rst held
on the old railroad platform across from the post
offi ce, income from this single day grew from
$70 to $400 in the mid-1970s (the total budget
of the BGWC then was $1,200). Usually held in
January, the Rummage Sale was chaired for years
by Marguerite East, who volunteered her in-town
garage for storage. By the late 1970s annual
proceeds were more than $1,000 ... and that was
signifi cant to the Club’s philanthropic efforts.
During the 1980s, before each sale was held a
room was opened for a few days in the back of
the Crowninshield Community House for
donation drop-offs. There were volunteer
“department chairs” who would be responsible
for fi nding assistants to help prepare for and
work the day of the Rummage Sale (“departments”
included kitchen items, knick-knacks,
shoes, blouses, books, toys, glassware, linens, etc.).
In 1980, on the actual day of the sale, the
concept of “boutique” was added so members
could bring in valuable items and antiques for
the Club to sell on commission. Rummage Sale
income for this one-day event steadily grew from
$1,921 in 1982 to $6,500 in 1987 (that year, a
tornado hit just before the Rummage Sale Day).
During the 1990s Boca Bargains experienced
growing popularity and success. It would open in
November and close in April, with suggestions
being made each year to make it better.
The reach of Boca Bargains has been widespread.
Members have gifted their time and
talents to make it a success. Their volunteer
efforts have enabled the Woman’s Club to
support many community projects and award
extensive scholarships. In the 1970s, several
hundred dollars’ profi t each year from the
Rummage Sales changed to several thousand
each year in the 1980s, doubled in the 1990s, and
now reaches into six fi gures.
Boca Bargains’ goal has been to raise money
to promote the general welfare of Boca Grande
by supporting local charities and scholarships. It
has offered an innovative way to accept generous
donations and creatively recycle them for the
betterment of our community. Over the years,
it has provided a phenomenal value in terms of
goods to island residents and visitors alike. But as
was mentioned in the beginning, that is only part
of the story.
Dedicated volunteers like the late Doris Bishop
and Lucy Stanton remained involved even into
their 90s, working outside on closing day,
60 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE January/February 2020