Shayna Engelbrecht’s Blue Orchard store will carry unique second-hand items.
Courtesy photo
A vintage green vase, a purple leather jacket from the ‘80s, and a handmade violin from the 1900s are just a few of the items that artist Shayna Engelbrecht will offer customers when her thrift shop, Blue Orchard, opens next month at 659 Gallivan Blvd.
Against a backstop of gravestones sitting across the street at Deveney & White Monuments, Blue Orchard will focus on giving items a second chance at life.
“The Blue Orchard is an affordable but imaginative community thrift shop,” said Engelbrecht, 32. “It’s built around second chances for objects, stories, people. I wanted to create a welcoming place that feels different from a traditional thrift store, where people can find affordable clothing, unique treasures, funky items, but also feel a little hope and wonder when they walk in.”
Engelbrecht, who was raised on the South Shore and now lives in Brookline, said she has loved thrifting for as long as she can remember. She has wanted to open her own shop almost just as long and recently decided that Dorchester was the perfect place to do so.
“My life actually started over there,” said Engelbrecht, gesturing towards Adams Village. “My mom and stepdad used to work at Windy City, which is now a cookie store, and my dad used to work at China Sky. My mom [was] at Windy City when she was pregnant with me, so my life literally started right there, and now I am opening a shop down the street.”
While she is returning to a familiar neighborhood, Engelbrecht said the experience is all about new beginnings.
“I created it because I’ve been through a lot of rebuilding in my own life and I wanted to create something that reflects what I’ve learned: that something, or someone, can have a past and still be beautiful, useful, and worthy of another chapter,” she explained.
She added: “I just hope that people, when they need to go escape for a moment, get a little dopamine, or feel lifted up, they’ll come into the shop and find me, find an item, and feel seen, feel loved. I want them to feel comfortable, like at home.”
The shop will showcase “true vintage items,” like houseware, clothing, shoes, jewelry, and art, all of which Engelbrecht describes as “funky, unique finds.”
Whether someone comes in to make a purchase or just to browse, Engelbrecht has come up with creative ways to have a positive impact in the neighborhood.
“At checkout, I will have a lantern, and then there will be a jar on the left with some papers in front. That’s going to be a release jar. Basically, to let go of what you no longer want to carry. No one will ever read those papers. I will shred them or burn them or toss them,” she said in an interview with The Reporter.
“On the right will be a bowl with little envelopes,” she said. “In each of those there will be an uplifting message or maybe something funny or strange. Theres no cost to that. Anyone could come in, release something, and take a little message. It’s just something to help people.”
A firm opening date has not been set, but Engelbrecht is determined to open sometime next month. The tentative hours will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the store closed on Sundays and Tuesdays.
If you are interested in donating any items, email theblueorchardofficial@aol.com or DM any of the store’s social media pages.
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