It is a store where people can find a high-end men's leather jacket for $7.99, baby clothing starting at 69 cents, and a library where people can read a book or a magazine, or buy them for a very low price.

Most are used items, but customers who take their time will find brand new clothing, shoes, accessories or sports apparel, at prices ranging from 99 cents to $7.99 (even find name brands). Furniture in good condition as well as appliances, electronics and desktop computers are also available at low cost.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 12,300-square-foot Thrift Store in Long Beach officially opened July 25 with the blessing of Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar. The opening day included music from the James Gentry Quintet and a two-hour store discount following the event.

Located at 2750 Pacific Coast Highway (at Temple Avenue), the store was established to benefit the local and surrounding low-income communities with both inexpensive merchandise and employment opportunities to local residents. About a third of its employees are re-entering the workforce after being incarcerated.

"We become Jesus himself when we serve one another," said Bishop Salazar minutes before cutting the ribbon. The SVDP, he said, is a model of service "that has a lasting fruit."

"We are putting our faith into practice," said Vincentian Father Pedro Villarroya, the council's spiritual advisor. "If we are not grounded in faith, this becomes a job."

"Father Pedro always reminds us that it's not all about business," Jose Rossier, SVDP executive director, told The Tidings. "We have to make sure we see the face of Christ in them (the poor)."

Job assistance
Two years ago the council purchased the old 22,000-square foot building that for 30 years housed Al Greenwood's Bedspread Kingdom. The new facility features furniture and appliances rooms, a boardroom and a room with computer stations where people will get help to search for jobs, and write and send resumes.

Trucks are loaded at the facility with all kinds of furniture, appliances, clothing, food and other items for distribution among local families in extreme need.

The idea is to open a store in each of its seven districts (San Gabriel, North San Fernando, South San Fernando, San Pedro, Our Lady of the Angels, Santa Barbara, and Ventura), said Tony Terrazas, the council's director of operations.

So far, three thrift stores have opened in Los Angeles (the largest nationwide), Oxnard and Long Beach. The stores' revenue helps fund other SVDPLA outreach programs and services, including the Cardinal Manning Center emergency and transitional housing program, the Circle V Ranch Camp for at-risk youth, the prisoner resettlement program, and the Ventura Winter Shelter for the homeless.

The backbone of the SVDPLA, part of a worldwide organization, are community-based groups of volunteers called conferences (the majority of them based in parishes, and others in schools, universities and community centers), and "special works" programs.

More than 104 conferences with more than 2,000 volunteers (known as Vincentians) serve the counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura, Terrazas said. People of all faiths are welcome to assist, said Cecilia Ordonez, San Pedro district president.

Customer awareness
The daily sales goal of the new store is $4,500, to help pay salaries of the 12-member staff, as well as other SVDP outreach programs in Long Beach.

As in any other business, Store Manager Mary Anne Boka said she is trying to listen to the customers in order to stock the store with name brands and items they had not considered selling.

"Some customers don't want to lose the treasure-hunt experience," she said.

Long Beach resident Graciela Pérez, 40, has become a frequent customer since the store's June 1 "soft run." On this weekday, the seven-months-pregnant mother was shopping for clothing for her three children, including one on the way. Minutes after arriving, she found a brand new short-sleeved light green wool romper suit for $1.99.

"I usually look for brand new items like this one," she said, while showing the piece to a friend who was at another aisle checking prices.

"You have to be creative to find new clothing at low prices," Pérez said. "If the baby comes earlier than scheduled, I'm ready with his clothing," she noted happily. She had plans to spend about $20 to $30 that day. The stay-at-home mother said this is a way to help her husband with the tight family budget.

For donations or more information about the Los Angeles Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, go to www.svdpla.org or call 323-224-6280, 562-494-9955, or 1-800-974-3571.