MADISON — As a line of people formed outside the St. Vincent de Paul Dig & Save store on S. Park St., the warm autumn day clashed with what was on everyone’s mind — coats, especially for winter.
November 5 was the first day of the 18th annual $1 Winter Coat Event.
Coats donated for event
More than 10,000 coats were donated for the event — around 2,000 of them sold on the first day.
“It’s pretty overwhelming to see so many people coming down to take advantage of this,” said Michael Newhouse from Madison, who waited in line for the store to open for the sale.
When 10 a.m. rolled around, the scene in the store resembled a Black Friday sale, albeit less dangerous.
Dozens of people looked through 45 continually replenished large bins of coats and jackets for all ages, of all sizes, styles, colors, and weights.
“You’ve got to dig, you’ve got to work for what you’re trying to find,” said Newhouse. “There’s some really good deals you can find — some really good jackets. It’s just a matter of taking the time and knowing what you’re looking for.”
A ‘fun’ sale
“It’s one of the fun sales every year,” said Ralph Middlecamp, CEO and executive director for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Madison.
“People like seeing [all the coats] before it’s been sorted through . . . the first day it’s all been unpicked, so they all hope the great gems are there the first minute or two.”
The society makes the coats readily available and affordable to help assure that everyone who needs a coat can get one.
Some people bought coats for themselves, family, and friends, or even for church and other organizations that support people with low incomes who need a newer coat for the colder months ahead.
The $1 Coat Event will last as long as there are coats left.
Helping all year long
The Dig & Save outlet, located at 1900 S. Park St., is a unique store where shoppers can search through dozens of bins of clothing and tables and come away with bargain treasures.
Clothing at Dig & Save is sold by the pound — and at half price on Wednesdays.
All year long, St. Vincent de Paul’s stores are the public face of the society. They attract people of all income levels looking for great deals on gently used goods.
For more information, go to www.svdpmadison.org