St Ignace Area Hope — Local services in Saint Ignace

Know before you go, you will be told what you can and can't buy. First and last visit was today, 6/12/24. I'm a up native and was excited to finally make it to this thrift store. While shopping I noticed a sign saying 30 pieces of clothing per customer. A staff member noticed the items in my cart and made sure to tell me about their new rule- the 30 item limit. I asked the reasoning behind that and she explained it was because they have lack of volunteers in the summer and they don't want people coming by and buying everything (aka tourists). I didn't count my total items but knew I was around the 30 mark. Upon checking out, the cashier told me only 30 items and that he was going to count them. I was 5 items over and was told I COULD NOT get them. I had to pick and choose. I was also told there was a limit of 3 pairs of shoes per person, and that there were signs. I never saw the signs, as they were on the end of the shoe wall out of view. I had a total of 5 pair and was told I couldn't get the other 2. Never in my life have I been told at a thrift store I have a limit on what I can buy. Everything here is donated for FREE, and payment of items is on a donation basis. Even after my experience, I gave a generous donation for my items, and was then told by the cashier a way to get around this would be to walk out then walk back in. This is literally the most ridiculous policy I have ever heard. Staffing is hard, especially when it's on a volunteer basis. Your business should be the most staffed during the summer. Tourism is what helps keep your business afloat. If you can't find volunteer staff then maybe a money incentive is necessary to keep employees. This is a retail environment. You don't pass your shortcomings onto customers. I travel the UP and donate/purchase all across the board. It's clear there are many other deserving business who have it together without ridiculous rules they imply on customer. Go to Cedarville instead. It's the same concept but workers will encourage and appreciate...

I would first like to say that The Hope is doing a great job providing for the community. For those of you who gave it bad reviews because you don’t like the 30 item limit on clothes or other issues you might have……..THEY ARE COMPLETELY DONATION FUNDED. They were also having issues with people coming in and buying bagfuls of clothing for VERY cheap and turning around only to sell them on Facebook for double what they paid. They also like to keep enough clothes on hand for emergencies. A lot of clothing and other items were donated to residents through out the years. Families that lost everything in a fire, or just hard on their luck. They pay their heating bill with donations. They are NOT a high end store nor do they claim to be. You don’t like it go to Goodwill, where you will pay triple for donated stuff sold to you by a...

Great place. Short of volunteers but donation based mostly. Truly helping the community. There is an auction area where there are more looked for items and u can place bids, and after a time the highest bid get said item or items. I have found lots of great things for my kids here, and will continue to donate things as they move onto different sizes. It's no department store, but it has heart. I appreciate that far more. I appreciate those who spend thoer time for free to work and maintain...