The Opportunity Shop

About the Op Shop

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You'll Not Only Save $$$$ -
You'll Help Your Community

The Opportunity Shop, affectionately nicknamed the "Op Shop" has been a Bethesda fixture for more than 50 years. Opened in 1951 by the "Women of St. John's" to serve church and community needs, the Op Shop's first home was a tiny cottage in the 7200 block of Wisconsin Avenue. Initially, its shelves were stocked with donations of books, toys, clothing and household items from parishioners of its sponsor, St. John's Episcopal Church. Later, the Shop expanded to accept more upscale articles on consignment - gently used furniture, jewelry, china, silver, etc. from any source.

image: St. John's Opportunity Shop

Currently housed in downtown Chevy Chase at 4504 Walsh Street, it sells everything from sandals to samovars, steamers to rocking horses, paintings to copper pots, and is a gold mine for browser and bargain hunter alike. Shop customers include many "regulars" among its clientele - the scholar who comes in weekly to check the old books, the knowledgeable collector who checks weekly for treasures, the local working people who know the Op Shop is the place to buy family necessities at good prices. Some come in just for conversation in a friendly place.

Who Minds the Store?

Our all-volunteer staff of men and women are from Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. While at first the majority came through St. John's, now over half are friends and neighbors. Many are retirees who had interesting careers and enjoy keeping active, others are parents with children in school and still others work full-time jobs or attend high school and volunteer one or two shifts a month. Many have served 25 years and more.

Montgomery County Public School students are able to earn student service learning (SSL) credits toward high school graduation requirements. Many find gifts for friends and family at reasonable prices. Some like the clothing they can buy, and a few have participated in our fashion shows.

Please see our Volunteer page for descriptions of volunteer opportunities.

Where Can You FIT In?

The Opportunity Shop will continue to be a success as long as it has:

Here's how you could help on all three fronts:

Where Does All the Money Go?

Since its debut, the Shop has donated funds to local, national, and international outreach projects.

After expenses, most of the profits go to St. John's for its Outreach program, and up to 15% goes directly to charities chosen by the Shop's Board of Directors. A current list of charities can be seen in the Shop.

Beneficiaries have included Bethesda Cares, Children's Inn at NIH, Community Ministry of Montgomery County, Episcopal Center for Children, Greentree Shelter, Interfaith Housing Coalition, Literacy Council of Montgomery County, Montgomery Hospice, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, Second Genesis, Samaritan Ministry, Shepherd's Table, and St. Ann's Home.

Who Runs the Shop?

General Direction and oversight are provided by a board of seven people elected by the volunteers. A Chair presides over the board. The Shop is managed by two people selected by the board. The current managers are named on the Op Shop home page.

The Opportunity Shop

4504 Walsh Street
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Phone: 301-654-4999