Venice Thrifters “Hijack" Bargain Basket

You could call this “hijacking” a friendly takeover. A group of 50 thrifters from Venice descended on the Bargain Basket on Thursday afternoon and literally took over the store for an hour.

Of course it was all set up in advance. The Oh Ship Florida Girls Thrifting Trip Events people had set it all up in advance with Bargain Basket managers Barbara Rojek and Jackie Weiner. Rojek and Weiner agreed to close the Bargain Basket an hour early Thursday in order to let the Oh Ship Florida Girls have the run of the store. Turns out the “hijacking” was fun for everyone involved.

“They came, they shopped,” said Barbara Rojek, “and they were happy."

“We basically closed the store at 3:00 PM,” said Jackie Weiner. “They parked that great big bus around the corner. It was incredible.” 

Volunteers at the Bargain Basket welcomed the thrifters with thunderous applause when they entered the store.

“We were told to keep it a secret,” Rojek said, “volunteers weren’t allowed to know who was coming.”

“The rumors went from movie stars to the Kardashians,” Weiner laughed. “We all had to clap them in.”

“You know how people like to be cheered,” Rojek laughed.

“They had name tags on,” Weiner said.

“The whole group had such a lovely energy,” Rojek said, “it was a special event. Everyone was very happy. They really liked it.”

“We were their last stop of the day,” Weiner said. “They said this was, by far, the best place that they shopped. And the best prices. They also mentioned how happy our volunteers are.”