Cure Thrift Shop – LOST GEM
11am-8pm Everyday
91 3rd Avenue
When three of us walked into this thrift shop, we all headed for something different, excited by their vast collection of items. We spent quite a bit of time browsing through vintage clothing, cameras, dishes, jewelry, cards, and more ranging from just $1.00 for a deck of cards to $5,000 for a large book case from the 1950’s. It was not until we met Liz Wolff, the woman behind this incredible venture that we came to understand what this shop was all about. Liz was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, and as an adult decided to open a non-profit thrift shop in an effort to raise funds to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute. She also donates to Marjorie’s Fund and Beyond Type I.
For the past four years, Liz has managed to draw attention to the Cure from around the world. There is a constant flow of people who come by either to shop or to donate. Their inventory changes on a daily basis, but the emphasis is placed on vintage and designer merchandise. Liz explained that her customers are drawn here because of how unexpected their finds will be. “We go from one end of the spectrum to the other,” but one thing is certain, it is virtually impossible not to walk out with something. Liz has set up a JDF online store and has 40,000 followers on her blog. What an achievement, and what an impressive woman she is….and what a terrific gem to behold when wandering on a side street in Manhattan!
