Deja New shop benefits people of Leicester

By Tanya Connor
 The Catholic Free Press

LEICESTER – Want to experience déjà vu?
Visit Deja New, at 759 Main St., beside St. Joseph Church.
In the former rectory you might find toys like those you – or your parents – played with as a child. Sharing them with your grandchildren this Christmas might be déjà vu for you – but new to them. You can also purchase time-tested tree decorations and household items that were already antiques when you were young – or modern renditions of them by today’s artists. Plus, shopping here benefits local charities.
“We had this beautiful Victorian building sitting empty, with all its charm” – it became a great showcase for vendors to rent space – explained Cheryl Cooney, a member of St. Joseph-St. Pius X Parish. (The rectory was left empty after their pastor, Father Robert A. Loftus, moved to another building on the grounds to save money on heat. Now, space heaters warm the building during Deja New’s business hours.)
Last summer three women co-founded Deja New, in part to help charities, and also to benefit St. Joseph-St. Pius Parish, Ms. Cooney said. Ms. Cooney runs the Leicester Food Pantry in St. Joseph’s Church hall. June Barrus-Kemp works with a food pantry at her church, Greenville Baptist. And Deborah Antanavica helps with Hearts for Heat, an organization that provides winter heating fuels to families in need.
Ms. Cooney, Ms. Barrus-Kemp, Ms. Antanavica and Father Loftus also manage a discretionary fund for people in need.  Deja New’s profits are divided evenly among the five entities.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Linda Colby, who handles social media for Deja New. “Anything that we can do to help the people in our town who are in need.”
“And, at the same time, we’re promoting local artists and collectors,” added Ms. Cooney. “And we’ve got some very talented people.”
She said they rent to vendors selling art, antiques or collectibles. Space goes from $25-150 per month depending on the amount needed. Five percent of the vendors’ profit is kept for overhead for the shop, which is staffed by the co-founders and other volunteers.
Ms. Cooney said her husband and Ms. Barrus-Kemp’s husband are collectors, and they know other collectors. They have also advertised to get vendors.
“Social media has been huge,” Ms. Cooney said. Their website is dejanewleicester.com and they’re also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“We’re pretty full,” Ms. Cooney said. “We’ve stayed at around 30 vendors.”  
“The whole charity thing – that was the big draw for me,” said Barbie Bolivar, who sells her artwork here, and at three other sites. “The same thing that I enjoy doing helps other people.” One of her signs proclaims, “Christmas Trees for Sale,” and it is for sale itself at Deja New. “Taters & Onyuns,” says a wooden box that looks worn. “I kind of beat them up” to give them an antique appearance, Ms. Bolivar explained.
After Ms. Bolivar left, a customer came in and was interested in a sign for a meeting room. She could have chosen the one that says simply, “Gather.” But Ms. Cooney gave her the artist’s contact information to arrange for whatever she wanted.
“This is not the thrift shop; this is a little higher end,” Ms. Colby said, contrasting Deja New with the second-hand store the parish opened at the back of the property a few years ago. When the thrift shop gets donations better suited for the antique shop, they’re brought here, Ms. Cooney said. Other times antiques are donated directly to Deja New, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the charities.
    Deja New is open noon-4 p.m. Sundays, 1-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1-6 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. From now through Dec. 10, the shop is open until 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed Dec. 10-April 1 to save heating costs. Those seeking more information can email shop@dejanewleicester.com or call 774-415-1600.