Waltham Clothing Exchange may close after 68 Years

The Waltham Clothing Exchange, a thrift shop and longtime project of First Parish in Waltham, may close for good next spring after nearly seven decades of operation.

Directors Joel and Susan Weddig said they plan to shut down the volunteer-run shop at the end of its spring season in May, citing the aging of the current team and the increasing workload that has come with its popularity. Located in the basement of the First Parish Church at 50 Church St., the exchange has served as both a community hub and a model for sustainable shopping since 1957.

“Because of the growing number of consignors and customers, it has become more of a chore than the pleasure it once was,” the Weddigs said. “We love what it has meant to the community, but we can no longer keep up on our own.”

The Clothing Exchange, which is open only on Tuesdays, provides an affordable way for residents to pass on used clothing, housewares and other goods. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers from the congregation and beyond have staffed the shop, many starting as customers and staying on as helpers.

To try to keep the program alive, First Parish is seeking new volunteers and potential directors before the spring season begins on Feb. 10. A volunteer listing is available at Idealist.org, and inquiries can be made by calling 781-330-0389 or by sending an email.

First Parish will hold a special public service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, celebrating the exchange’s 68-year history. The event will feature personal anecdotes, a fashion show and displays of the shop’s work supporting local families and environmental reuse. The store will reopen after the public service from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Waltham Clothing Exchange has long complemented the church’s other outreach programs, including the Jones Partnership Fund. Its directors say they hope new leadership will step forward to continue that legacy.

More information is available at the Waltham Clothing Exchange website.