Shop The Purple Shoe: Retail, for a Reason

Ladies and shopping: It’s a longstanding relationship. But the thrill of a bargain means more at The Purple Shoe Thrift Shoppe in Zebulon, where dollars spent can help families survive domestic violence.

The shop offers women’s clothing in sizes 0 to 5X, plus shoes, jewelry and other fashion accessories, along with a small inventory of household items. Everyone’s welcome to shop.

“People think they’re in a boutique when they come for the first time,” said Alice Coleman, executive director of the Association of Domestic Violence Outreach Stores, a network of 60 stores across North Carolina, including The Purple Shoe.

But prices are anything but boutique, such as $4 for tops and shoes and $6 for dresses; merchandise includes brand names like Liz Claiborne and Chico’s. 

Best of all, proceeds help The Purple Shoe serve as an outreach site for victims of domestic violence, offering safety planning, service referrals, counseling, even bus fare.

Proceeds also support local domestic violence shelters. And events, including fashion shows, help educate the community on the needs of victims, who come from all age groups and walks of life.

As for the shop’s name, purple is the color adopted to represent victims of domestic violence, Coleman says, while the shoe symbolizes fashion.

The Purple Shoe is the ADVOS hub, housing its offices and serving as a model store and training site for staff from other shops, to help them produce profits to sustain the shelters they support.

Coleman says The Purple Shoe accepts good-condition donations of women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry and shoes, with tax receipts available. Volunteers are needed too.

“Volunteering is fun and easy,” she said — tour the store, then choose your job, from sort to steam to display.

“Volunteers decide what best suits their talents, and where they’ll have the most fun,” Coleman said.

Also in Triangle East, retail shop Pizazz of Clayton is a member of the ADVOS, and supports the Harbor shelter of Johnston County. 

It’s retail, with a reason: Shop to stop domestic violence.

The Purple Shoe Thrift Shoppe
407 W. Gannon Ave., Zebulon
Weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(919) 269-0109
www.ncadvos.org

Pizazz of Clayton
307 E. Main St., Clayton
(919) 550-1915
For a complete listing of stores, visit www.ncadvos.org/About_Us.