Philanthropic Fashion: Shops that Give Back

Photos by Nancy Guth | December 2022

Who doesn’t feel great when they can shop for a great cause! Our town boasts several fabulous consignment shops that give back to arts and human service organizations, plus they’re run and supported by generous and talented ladies.  There’s no better time than the holidays to support these shops that proudly impact on our community.

Tidewell Treasures

Tidewell Treasures is a resale shop specializing in high quality items for the benefit of the Tidewell Foundation in its support of Tidewell Hospice. Proceeds go toward providing world-class care for all, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Your purchases and donations also help provide complementary services like music therapy, as well as free grief services for more than 8,000 people throughout Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Shop, donate, or volunteer to help your community. The stores accept gently used brand-name items, including furniture, clothing, electronics, books, and other home goods and décor. Free furniture pick up is available. As a volunteer, you can help in many essential ways – greeting visitors, sorting and pricing items, and much more.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Sue Forbes at Sforbes@tidewell.org or call 941-441-2061.

Sarasota Tidewell Treasures
5441 Palmer Crossing Circle
Sarasota, FL 34238
Hours: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on Sundays
Phone: 941-552-7555

Venice Tidewell Treasures
523 Venice Bypass #41
Venice, FL 34285
In the Bird Bay Plaza
Hours: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 941-882-4467

SPARCC Treasure Chest

SPARCC Treasure Chest, one of Sarasota’s finest resale shops, carries high-end clothing, jewelry, furniture, home accessories, collectibles and many other items. With donated inventory always in flux, you never know what kind of treasures you’ll find! Whether you shop, volunteer, or donate, you help break the cycle of violence in our communities.

Every year, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) hosts an annual fashion show featuring great deals on high-end fashion pieces from SPARCC Treasure Chest. The upcoming SPARCC Runway Fashion Show: Timeless Treasures is slated for Friday, March 31, 2023 at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. Guests will enjoy valet parking, a champagne toast, shopping in the premiere, pop-up fashion boutique, a delicious luncheon complete with wine service, and an unforgettable and fantastic runway fashion show.

SPARCC is the only state-certified center for domestic and sexual violence in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. All proceeds directly support the free and confidential programs and services provided to survivors and their children. For event registration or more information, visit www.sparcc.net.

The Exchange

A proponent of recycling and sustainability for upwards of 60 years, The Exchange is a consignment store like no other.  

Awarding more than $8.5 million in arts related grants and scholarships, The Exchange, a non-profit consignment super store is a favorite haunt for Sarasota residents and a “must visit” destination site for visitors from around the world.  With help from 220 dedicated volunteers and 5,000 consigners, this 15,000 sq. foot treasure trove is filled to the brim with such amazing finds as Tiffany silver, Gucci handbags, designer women’s/men’s clothing, fine jewelry, furniture, housewares and handmade rugs. 

The proceeds earned through The Exchange’s consignment operation benefit local non-profit art organizations and students pursuing a higher education in the arts. 

The Exchange invites you to come see how, “Together we can make a difference” while you save money on everything from the ordinary to the sublime.

Learn more at sarasotawex.com.

Designing Women Boutique

Opened in 2002 as a non-profit consignment shop supporting the Sarasota arts community, Designing Women Boutique celebrates over 20 years of philanthropy.  Through the success of the store along with sponsorships and fundraising, DWB has given $8 million in grants and merchandise to over 100 community arts and human service organizations. 

Notable non-profit organizations who have received DWB grants through the years include:  All Faiths Food Bank, Arts & Cultural Alliance, Meals on Wheels, Face Autism, The Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Youth Orchestra, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Easter Seals, Children First, Forty Carrots Family Center, Sarasota Opera, Circus Sarasota, Pines of Sarasota, Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Sarasota Opera, and many others.

In 2018, DWB launched GroundWorks, an innovative program to channel the lucrative consignment market for the benefit of other non-profit groups, such as Girls Inc., Ringling College of Art + Design, Arts Advocates, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, The Out of Door Academy, Asolo Rep, The Players Centre for Performing Arts, and The Roskamp Institute. 

Additionally, Designing Women offers successful concierge estate liquidation and downsizing services.  Through millions of dollars of donations to worthwhile organizations, Designing Women continues to make a difference in Sarasota County. 

DWB is located at 1226 North Tamiami Trail. For information, call 941-366-5293 or shop online at DesigningWomenSRQ.org.