The A.T. Stewart Exchange Consignment Shop


St. Nick is ready to celebrate Christmas

Ever wonder where the idea of hanging your stocking by the fire for Santa came from? The idea hearkens back to St. Nicholas, a 3rd century Greek bishop. He would sell off his property and give the money to the poor, and dedicated his life to serving people who were sick and suffering, which is how he gained his saint status. According to one story, a local farmer had three daughters but no money for their dowry. The bishop left gold coins in the farmer’s daughters’ shoes, which were left by the fire to dry out, to pay for their dowry. Over time, the tradition evolved and grew into celebrations with feasts and gift-giving. In Europe, children would leave their shoes or stockings (or special St. Nicholas boot) in front of the fireplace (or front door) at night and find presents in them in the morning. Thus started the tradition of leaving gifts and treats in stockings for good boys and girls – and charcoal for naughty ones. St. Nicholas Day or the Feast of St. Nicholas, is Dec.6th and celebrates his death. While St. Nicholas and his actions were not associated with Christmas, he was nonetheless the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus and Father Christmas.

In light of all that’s going on with the virus, don’t we need something to believe in, to feel good about? Don’t we all feel better when we give a gift and see the happy look on the receiver’s face? We get it that you don’t want to go to the malls and be around a lot of people. At the Exchange, we have something for most everyone (young or old), no matter how big or small your budget is. And many of our gift items are new, or almost new. If you’re not comfortable with that, please shop online and come into the shop to pick up or pick up curbside. Check out the tgchs.org website (where we have a link to our online store) or go directly to our online store at: stores.myresaleweb.com/ at-stewart-exchange. We also post photos on the AT Stewart Exchange Facebook and Instagram pages.

New for December: weekly raffle and drawing! Be sure to purchase your raffle tickets when you come into the Shop. Extended shopping hours on Wednesdays until 6:00pm are ongoing. When you come into the Shop, please follow our established sanitizing protocols and social distancing rules to keep you – and us — safe. Please, now more than ever, wear your mask and we’ll wear ours.

A santa ornament with a fluffy white beard

Santa has a great fluffy beard!

For those unfamiliar with the Exchange Consignment Shop, we are housed in TGCHS Museum on 109 Eleventh Street (in the basement of the building). We take jewelry, lamps, mirrors, crystal, pocketbooks, china, furniture, silver, paintings, and collectibles. Unsure if your items are appropriate to consign? Email photos (include sizing info) to store@atstewartexchange.org.   We accept consignments Wednesday through Friday 11:00am – 2:00pm by appointment ONLY, so please call (516) 746-8900.

All the profits from the Consignment Shop support the maintenance and upkeep of The Garden City Historical Society (TGCHS) Museum. Work on the outside of the Museum has resumed, so don’t be deterred. Your determination will be rewarded!

The A.T. Stewart Consignment Shop is located at 109 Eleventh Street.

Shop Hours: Tues – Fri 10:00 – 4:00; Wednesday til 6:00pm; Sat noon -4:00pm

For more information please call (516) 746-8900

 

Shop online at stores.myresaleweb.com/at-stewart-exchange

 

two christmas stockings in front of fireplace

Stockings hung by the fire with care.

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