Why Waste a Second Chance?
by Cate Murway

Historic Bristol on the Delaware is the epitome of an American small town with its quaint old buildings, spectacular riverfront view and welcoming atmosphere that takes you back to a time long past. One can quickly be enamored with the charm, the tiny population and the strong sense of community. And, now the borough is getting even greener!
Recycling and repurposing are terrific ways for every small town or city to cut down on its already lower environmental impact by giving more things a second chance.
Sometimes we throw too much stuff out too soon. Let’s divert good useable items out of the valuable landfill space.
It may sound corny, but this is our world and we're supposed to take care of it. 

Welcome to Groovy Used, a “thrift, consignment, used book” store that will open at 324 Mill Street this Saturday, March 5th at 9:00AM. There will be “clothes, tools, household and much more”. It’s the “Used store where everything is New to you!”

Whenever the economy seems to slump, recycled fashions and household items rise to a new prominence, and many turn to budget alternatives.
Lathan Nolan and Melissa Lynn “Missy” [Currie] Andrews have recreated the spirit of a California boutique that boasts a smart, clean interior with a pink, purple and peach color scheme in their family owned business.
Groovy Used will most likely become one of your most “fave” haunts!

The very store itself has gone through recycling. Per historians, Harold and Carol Mitchener, authors of Images of America- Bristol, it once housed “Esther Bruner’s Clothing” in the 30's, 40's and 50's. It became “Treasure Chest - Old and New Collectibles” when the Court Family of Bristol owned it. 
John Roach fashioned it into “Tinkers Cart Irish Shop” with a fine array of Gaelic custom merchandise before selling his stock to the neighboring Mignoni Jewelry and Gifts. 
Then an embroidery shop, “Keep 'Em In Stitches” preceded the “Bristol Sweet Shop” owned by Bristol resident, Jane Young.

Lathan and Missy Andrews reside in West Bristol. Friends introduced the couple and they have been married for 11 years.
“We’re oil and water”, Missy laughed.
They are “outdoors people”, who love to hike and fish and at one time, they owned a boat. Summer vacations include taking their sons, Liam Nolan [10] and Dallas Ryan [7] to the beach.
Dallas, a first grader, enjoys playing “Poptropica”, a virtual world in which kids explore and play in complete safety, developed by Family Education Network (FEN), the makers of Funbrain.com. He likes math and playing defense positions on his football team.
The two boys attend Maple Shade Elementary School and are totally involved in their sports of football, baseball and basketball.
Lathan Andrews, Bensalem class of ’91, previously labored in heavy construction with site preparation and grading. He also has a background in light construction, a former Labor Union #57 worker while he was employed at ABC Construction.
Lathan is a twin and the second youngest of 8.
His twin sister, Tamara “Tammy” is a photographer. His mother was widowed and she presently resides in VA. She and her current husband enjoy traveling the East Coast.

Missy Andrews, HST ’93, originally from Croydon, is a licensed insurance agent, formerly employed at the New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company. 
She is the firstborn of four children. 
Her late father was a truck driver and the proprietor of a Manpower Company franchise, part of the worldwide network of workforce solutions. 
She and Lathan have always dreamed of having their own business on Mill Street.
Her mom, Frances will be working along with them at the store.

Before moving their inventory to Mill Street, the gently used clothes, books, furniture, toys, and other various items were being kept in storage or in any available space in their home. The full basement at their store location will be utilized as storage now.

All the clothing in the shop is freshly washed and the last job of pricing and tagging is almost complete. 
“There are a lot of people who throw things out, but there are a lot of people who need.
So many people are shopping thrift. We want them to walk in and feel welcome!”

There are great deals on the array of furniture selections from “clean-outs”, estate liquidations and realtor friends when some property owners left articles and the current owners chose not to keep them.
The back room is full of books from estate and library sales, neatly arranged on the bookshelves that Lathan built. The used magazines are free.
Entertainment centers, tools and televisions will be in the adjoining room.

“As the parents of two great young boys of our own, we know it's not always easy to buy "new". So why not buy "like new", and what better place to have a "like new" store then on beautiful Mill Street!”

There will always be a variety of items from which to choose.
“Anything we can get, we will sell.”
So before you shop "new" check them out, they may just have what you are looking for at a better price!

The Grand Opening was Saturday, March 5th 2011.
There was face painting for the kids and a “try your luck” at their balloon pop. 
The prizes included four $25 Walmart gift cards, and one $100 Visa gift card issued to the person who picked the right special balloon. 
Everyone got popping!

Follow them on FACEBOOK!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Groovy-Used/116260701786659

Groovy Used
www.groovyused.com
324 Mill Street
Bristol 19007
215.458.7297
Closed Mondays
Tues, Wed, Thurs 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
Fri, Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM
Sun Noon-5:00 PM


Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com

CLOSED SUMMER 2012
Our family lost an amazing lady early this morning. My aunt Missy lost her battle with cancer. She fought long and hard and gave it her all. She pulled through every time and never stopped fighting. She has three amazing boys and an outstanding husband. Uncle Lathan, you and the boys, along with her sisters and brother, are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you Uncle Lathan and the boys too. If you need anything, I am here. Please everyone say a prayer for this family. They could really use them.  Angel Eroh Campbell