N2S A ribbon cutting and celebration of Not 2 Shabby Thrift, will be held Saturday, December 13 at noon, with Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon and members of the Highlands Business Partnership and Borough Council joining local residents in welcoming a new shopping destination at 165 Bay Avenue.
Now open and inviting the community to explore its thoughtfully curated selection of high-quality, affordable goods, the business owners welcome all to join the celebration of this family owned business.
Not 2 Shabby Thrift is operated by a mother and her three daughters, longtime residents of Highlands who have lived in the community since 2014. Inspired by a desire to create an accessible, inviting retail space, they envisioned a shop where customers could enjoy a boutique-like experience without boutique prices.
Inside the store, shoppers will find a wide assortment of clothing for men, women, and children, including cruise wear, evening attire, casual apparel, and one-of-a-kind pieces that rotate daily. Every item undergoes a detailed quality control process, washed, pressed, and repaired whenever possible, to ensure great value.
Beyond clothing, the shop offers toys, puzzles, small furniture, linens, household goods, décor, and a frequently refreshed selection of gift-worthy items. Inventory moves quickly, and customers often discover exactly what they have been searching for, sometimes within hours of making a request.
Supporting local creativity is also central to the shop’s mission. Through its monthly featured-artisan program, Not 2 Shabby Thrift showcases handcrafted items by local makers, offering them one month of display space with no rental fees or commissions. Recent and upcoming artisans include Wicked Good Candle and CellaBella Creations, with additional creators scheduled in the months ahead.
Giving back plays a key role in the shop’s identity as well. Each quarter, Not 2 Shabby Thrift donates 10% of its proceeds to organizations throughout the Bay Shore Corridor, from Highlands to Keyport. For the fourth quarter of 2025, the shop is supporting the VFW and the American Legion in honor of local veterans. The owners believe this model not only strengthens the community but also demonstrates how small businesses can make a meaningful impact.
Since opening, Not 2 Shabby Thrift has received an overwhelmingly positive response. Many visitors describe the store as warm, inviting, and boutique-like, distinct from a traditional thrift-shop environment.
The shop is also exploring partnerships with organizations that support high-functioning young adults seeking workplace experience. Through this initiative, participants may learn valuable retail skills including folding, sorting, organizing merchandise, and customer service in a supportive setting.
Though new to Bay Avenue, Not 2 Shabby Thrift has quickly become a collaborative family and community effort. With its welcoming atmosphere, rotating inventory, artisan partnerships, and strong commitment to giving back, the shop is already enriching the Highlands business community.
Not 2 Shabby Thrift is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Follow Not 2 Shabby Thrift on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with their latest finds, events, and community initiatives.
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