Every November since 1946, the ladies of the Junior League of Peoria are busy preparing for their annual Juleps Closet Sale. Although the location of the sale has changed through the years, the spirit of has remained the same throughout the sale’s 65- year history.
“So much work goes into the sale,” said Bethany O’Brien, this year’s chair for the event. “Although our sale lasts just one weekend, we begin organizing for the sale about ten months before the event. We know that families in the community have relied upon the sale, year after year, to purchase clothing and household items at reasonable prices. Considering today’s economic conditions, the sale is more important than ever!
“It is not uncommon for families to buy all of their school clothing for their children at the sale. Last year, a family came to Peoria from Iowa and stayed the entire weekend specifically to shop at our sale. To know all of our hard work makes a difference like that feels pretty good!”
O’Brien, a lifelong Peorian, remembers attending the sale herself as a child. “My mom and sister and I went for years. We would never miss the chance to go. It was a great place to find incredible bargains. I have so many great memories from the sale, and it is so gratifying now to have an opportunity to give back.”
“Julep’s Closet is not only Peoria’s premier and longest- running rummage sale, it is truly a community event. Over the past 65 years, proceeds of the sale have been funneled out to more than 50 community projects. This year, proceeds of the sale will benefit the Peoria Playhouse project, an interactive children’s museum to be located on the Peoria Zoo campus. Additionally, any unsold items from our sale are sent out to local community charities. This event is truly a win-win event for our community.”
“We really do have a bit of something for everyone at this year’s sale,” says O’Brien. “Although we have reasonably priced clothing and household items, this year we have an expanded Boutique section with new and designer label items. We are excited to have received lots of donations of new merchandise from local merchants, including local boutiques. Many local antique and vintage dealers know to come early to our sale, and take home incredible finds in our collector’s corner.
Founded in 1936, the Junior League of Peoria is an organization of more than 400 members committed to promoting voluntarism and improving the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Junior League is a volunteer organization for women interested in making an impact in their community. Through its history, the League has played an integral part in the development, improvement, and support of the Peoria community. Long recognized as one of the premier training organizations in the Peoria area, the Junior League provides trained volunteers who donate thousands of hours each year to research community needs and initiate projects or expand current services.
Over the last 75 years, the Junior League has established more than 50 community projects. The Junior League is undertaking its biggest project to date, The Peoria PlayHouse. The Peoria PlayHouse is planned to be an interactive children’s museum that will prepare every young child to learn by offering the hands-on experiences essential for healthy brain development. The Peoria PlayHouse is currently in the capital fundraising phase. For more information, visit www.peoriaplayhouse.org.
WHAT: JULEP’S CLOSET
WHERE: Peoria Riverplex arena, 600 NE Water Street
WHEN: Fri., November 11th, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sat., November 12th, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sun., November 13th, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The sale opens Friday with Twice the Price night from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. There will be a $1 entry fee both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, merchandise is ½ price until 1:30 p.m. The doors will then close for a short 30 minutes to prepare for Sunday’s bag sale from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Everything you can fit into in our regular bag for $3 or our extra large bag for $10 is yours to take home!
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