The Drew United Methodist Church Thrift Shop is a story of unique resolution and dedication. The history of the Thrift Shop begins in 1953 when Maude Boyce, a member of Drew U.M.C., visited a New England Thrift Shop. That shop was a thriving shop. Drew U.M.C. needed funds for a new wing which today houses Sloat Hall (the Gym) and the Eduction wing of the Church. Maude convinced our Women's Society of Christian Service that a Thrift Shop could help provide the Church with needed funds. The shop opened in the barn that was in back of the existing parsonage at that time; the barn that still stands in the back of our present Thrift Shop. That barn is not heated today and it was never heated. Since 1953 the Thrift Shop has been in service every year. It has always been staffed by volunteers and has provided clothing and household items to others during all those years. It has held to its dual purpose of a money raising enterprise and a mission effort.

In the Sixties the Thrift Shop contributed to such causes as finishing the Sunday School rooms, furnishing Gould Lounge, and helping to pay the salaries of assistant pastors.

1965 also began the Thrift Shop's most ambitious project. The pastor had been moved from the south house, the building between the barn and route 52. The Thrift Shop, with Church approval and support began to move into this building. The Thrift Shop, using only the back entrance, developed the kitchen, study, and dining room area for use. The front part of the house and the upstairs were closed off. It was not until the following spring that the shop expanded into the entire downstairs. During this entire time there was no water hooked up to the building. All water for cleaning had to be carried from the Church. There was no bathroom, no telephone, and no heat. To make this effort even more remarkable, the shop increased from being open one day per week to two and was open from late April until Thanksgiving weekend. Shop records show that 75 persons, both members and non-members were involved in some aspect of the Thrift Shop operation in 1970.

During the sixties electricity was added one section of the shop at a time and water was also hooked up. Electric heat was installed. On April 7, 1971 a magic milestone was reached: a telephone was installed. In 1971 the Thrift Shop separated itself from being supported by the United Methodist Women and has paid its own bills ever since. During this era, in order to be self supporting, shop members would host a coffee hour one Tuesday a month for all who donated goods. The gathering would be held on the shop's back patio. Special plant and food sales were held on some Saturday's and the shop would be open on those days.

During the late 1980's the shop was completed to look as it does today. Through a generous bequest from Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ludewig, its interior was refurbished and its exterior was completely resided. 2010 marks the 175th anniversary of Drew United Methodist Church as a congregation. It also marks the 57th anniversary of the Drew Thrift Shop. Our Church has survived and grown due to the faith and determination of our members. That faith and determination was well illustrated by the founders of our Thrift Shop and it continues in our Thrift Shop volunteers to this date.