MONTVERDE, Fla. – Don’t call it a thrift store.
This resale market prides itself on an inventory of high-end clothing and accessories.
The bonus — if you shop at Fireflies Resale Marketplace in Montverde (34756) you’ll be helping support adults living in group homes.
Lynn Riffle opened the shop in March as a way to support her nonprofit, Group Life Foundation.
The foundation funds personal needs for Special Needs individuals living in group homes.
“We’re talking about personal support, such as things that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience, such as theme park tickets, birthday parties, Christmas and Easter events,” Riffle explained. “We want them to have the fullest life possible. And they don’t get a lot of funding through the state. So this just helps them be able to have all the amenities they wouldn’t normally have. So that’s the heart of what we do.”
Riffle says most of the items for sale in her shop have been donated from the surrounding community.
Riffle’s daughter Victoria Pisciottano volunteers at the store and helps with staging and design.
“We do get some high-end labels. I think it’s because of this area. Bella Collina is right here. Montverde Academy is right down the road. So the moms will drop off their kids and they come here make donations and it’s amazing,” Pisciottano said.
“I try to tell people that we’re not your average thrift store. We’re a resale marketplace. So when you walk in, it smells inviting. It looks like a boutique. The furniture is all repurposed and staged so beautifully. It’s a good shopping experience. I love it,” she said.
Riffle says the community has been a big part of the store’s early success.
“When people come in and hear about us, they’re just astounded. And you wouldn’t believe the tears that have been shed at this counter over our story, that it just, it’s our heart. And when we share our heart, it touches everybody,” Riffle said.
Riffle operates several group homes nearby.
“I’ve always been a caregiver. And I grew up taking care of my grandmother who was a stroke victim. And I originally was going to try and open an assisted living facility and my heart kept drawing me away from that.” Riffle remembered. “I spoke with my pastors, my husband, and I prayed about it. And we started looking into special needs, and God just started opening doors for us.”
Riffle said she was able to open a home within a year. Many of her residents have intellectual disabilities and behavior issues.
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“There’s just such a need. There’s so many individuals out there that are potentially stuck in the system, that we’re hoping to just be able to get them out and give them a safe place to live and give them hope,” Riffle said.
“I’ve always worked for myself,” she continued. “I’ve been in many different directions, construction, real estate, the dental field, I mean, everything, and nothing has satisfied me and filled my cup like this. And it’s not until I had to step back and be still and seek what God’s path was for me before I really understood what I’m supposed to be doing. And it’s been amazing.”
Riffle sees the shop as the face of the foundation and an extension of the group home experience. Residents like 27-year-old Saira Walsh volunteer. Walsh said she enjoys organizing clothing and keeping things organized.
“I feel like we rescue a lot of these individuals from very bad situations and give them hope, and give them a sense of self-worthiness. And let them know that they are worthy of everything that God has to offer for them,” Riffle said.
“We approach things a lot different than a lot of group homes. I knew that if this was what God was going to have me to do, I was going to do it with excellence. And do it with my heart. And I find that if you bring these these individuals in and you show them the love of family, the security of family and true love, and the love of God, then you make all that combined, and you can control their behaviors and teach them how to be the best individual they can be,” Riffle said.
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