“It’s nice to hear people say things like, ‘I wasn’t able to afford this particular outfit for this event, but now thanks to the Chic Boutique, I’ll be able to go.’ We’ve also heard people tell stories about finding clothes for weddings. We’ve heard about graduations, job interviews, court appearances. So it’s really been nice,” Caitlin McGahan, executive minister at Sherman Church, tells Madison365. “When people are in need of something, we’re able to provide a service, and it’s celebrated, rather than sometimes there’s some shame associated when you have to get things for free and you’re not able to have access to things because of a limited budget. So we really try to celebrate people exactly as they are, and we want folks to have a wonderful time.”
Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, a multicultural community of faith on Madison’s North Side, will host its popular 2nd Hand Chic Boutique on Saturday, Oct. 26, 3-5:30 p.m. The semi-annual event offers people in the church and the community a chance to browse through a wide variety of clothes, jewelry and accessories and take home what they like free of charge.
Sherman Church will be honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month with this event and will offer women’s clothing from size small through size four XL. “We will also have shoes, bags, purses. we will have winter coats and winter accessories. Some of our items are gently used, and many of them still have the tags,” says McGahan. “And then we also have jewelry and scarves, as well. We’re just so excited to be able to continue to offer this really special event.
“The 2nd Hand Chic Boutique is near and dear to my heart and to Sherman Church’s heart, too … just be able to bring that awareness and to provide a safe space for folks to share their stories,” McGahan says. “It’s never expected, but we have found that folks do want to share their experiences sometimes, and so we are a listening ear and a welcoming space for folks, and also just to provide a place for people to do some shopping in a boutique experience.”
Sherman United Methodist Church has been a growing church on Madison’s North Side and really prides itself on its diversity and inclusivity.
“Sherman is a multicultural community here on the North Side, and we really love to be of the community. Our church continues to grow every year and I think that’s really a testament to Rev. David Hart and all he’s doing and helping others get excited about it,” McGahan says. “We collaborate at Northside Community Center, Lakeview Elementary, Mendota Elementary, and we do a Northside Unified and Trunk or Treat event. So we really just love getting to know our neighbors and providing a safe space and resources.
“We have a food pantry as well as this clothing boutique, and are able to provide any support we can with any other concerns that that people need in the community, whether it’s someone to talk to or help to navigate the different services that are available for folks in the community.”
Sherman Church hosts the 2nd Hand Chic Boutique every six months – during April, Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and October, Domestic Violence Abuse Month.
“The community has been so supportive since we started. Everybody provides these great donations. They’re gently used and also brand new clothes with the tag still on them. Everything is free for people,” McGahan says. “We provide goody bags when people leave, so it’s got hugs and kisses and like a small thing of makeup or personal hygiene item, and then a reminder of either domestic violence awareness or sexual assault awareness with something like a pen or bracelet, just to make sure that people are talking about these important issues, and just making sure that people are aware and knowing that Sherman Church is a safe place to go if they need help and resources.”
On Saturday, Oct. 26, 3 p.m., the 2nd Hand Chic Boutique will have available free gently used and new women’s clothing (business, active and casual wear) in sizes S-4XL, along with handbags, shoes, jewelry, and other accessories. It’s a real boutique experience.
“Rather than having to dig through clothes, we like to provide that complete shopping experience where people can look through their sizes and find something for a special event, job interview, court appearance, celebration, whatever they need,” McGahan continues. “It’s really nice that we’re able to offer it because we have businesswear to casual wear to everything in between.”
Sherman Church is located at 3705 N. Sherman Ave.
