Twigs Bounces Back With New Roof & Store

After its roof suffered a major leak during a January storm last winter, folks at decided that the building was in need of a major renovation, which has been a success.

According to Judy McGrath, the group’s board president, not only was the entire roof replaced – every layer of it – but the entire store was redone, with new insulation, walls, electricity, sidings and furnishings. A new island checkout piece of furniture was installed, giving the room a more open feel.

“We tried to take a bad situation and make it a good situation,” said McGrath a Chappaqua resident and volunteer with Twigs for about nine years.

Plans for a renovation were already being considered prior to the January disaster, but were hastened with it, according to McGrath.

Twigs, which is located in Mount Kisco and raises funds for Northern Westchester Hospital through sales of donating items, came to the hospital in its time of need, borrowing money to cover it’s the cost of repair, according to McGrath, adding that more than half of it has been repaid. In total, it cost $75,000 to renovate the building, located at 449 Lexington Ave. Twigs has operated a thrift shop to support the hospital since 1964, and has owned its current building since 1975.

Because Twigs was not able to reopen until May 2, a decision was made to remain open for most of the summer. Normally, McGrath explained, Twigs closes for July and most of August. This time, the thift shop stayed open for most of the summer, and is currently on a two-week hiatus, with plans to reopen on Aug. 29.

The decision to stay open for the summer has been good for Twigs, and McGrath said customers like the new look.

“It’s worked out great,” she said of the arrangement. She hopes that the new operating weeks for summer will continue next year.

“They all love the shop, and we had to do it,” said Janet Short, a Chappaqua resident and one of three chairs for Twigs’ board.

Twigs will also receive another boost at the end of this month, when Chappaqua-based Korth & Shannahan Painting plans to give a new paintjob to the building’s exterior.

In addition to supporting the hospital through sales, Twigs also makes patient comfort items and works with the hospital's foundation, according to Short. Twigs draws in volunteers from several northern Westchester communities, according to McGrath.