Why are we named “Academy St. Thrift”?

We get asked this question often. Why is our boutique called Academy St. Thrift? As with most meaningful names, there is a story behind it.

To start, many people do not realize that I spent 15 years working in higher education. This often surprises folks because they tend to assume I am younger than I am. However, I am 36. When you subtract 15 years from that, you land at 21—the same age I was when I graduated from college. I entered college at 17, worked as a tutor throughout my undergraduate years, and after graduating, I bega

n my professional journey as a tutor. Over time, I progressed through various roles, eventually serving as the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion before deciding to transition out of that career.

Through these experiences, I developed a deep understanding that education is not confined to college campuses. Instead, learning is all around us. It can be found in our communities, in conversations, in shared experiences, and in everyday life. What we in higher education often refer to as “academia” does not only exist in lecture halls. Rather, it exists wherever people are open to learning, unlearning, and growing.

For this reason, Academy St. reflects that belief. It is not just a physical address; it is a concept. It represents a space outside of traditional structures where discussion, community, creativity, and learning intersect—surrounded by art, which in our case, happens to be clothing. This is the heart of Academy St. Thrift, and it will always remain true to this vision. Our shop is a nontraditional thrift store. More specifically, it is a boutique, thoughtfully curated with secondhand finds at a range of price points, from affordable to mid-tier to high-end.

Initially, we had our eyes set on a storefront located on Academy Street in Newark, New Jersey, right next to the PRIDE Center. We were excited about the opportunity to develop a direct partnership with them. Unfortunately, that plan fell through after a real estate agent misled us. Consequently, we had to let go of that location and search for a new path forward.

During this difficult period, after many tears and moments of self-doubt, my wonderful husband asked me a simple but profound question:“Is Academy St. only valid if it’s on Academy Street? Or can it exist anywhere?”

At that moment, I thought of Sesame Street. Despite facing criticism and political attacks over the years, Sesame Street has always been more than just a location. It is a cultural idea, a shared space that has lived in the hearts of generations of children, no matter what street they actually lived on.

In a similar way, Academy St. is not about a specific address. It is about purpose, presence, and possibility. It is a philosophy, a space for reflection and reimagination. It is a boutique, a classroom, a creative corner, and a gathering place. It is a street that invites you into something bigger—an everyday kind of education rooted in community and care.

We invited the horse to the table.

If you stop by between 4 and 6 PM, you'll often find a gathering of people engaging in meaningful dialogue. Conversations span a wide range of topics—from the ethics of rehabilitating horses versus “compassionate” euthanasia, to the current geopolitical climate, biblical interpretations, and larger philosophical questions about existence. At times, the discussion turns lighthearted, offering reflections that remind us we’re all living similar yet uniquely personal realities.

The variety of perspectives brought to the space is what truly enriches Academy St.

Come as you are, share what moves you, and be part of something real.

We hope to see you soon!

Academy St. Crew