By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
TRIBECA — Local parents opened a children’s thrift shop called Rondo this week to raise money for the Church Street School for Music and Art.
A neighborhood institution for the past 20 years, the Church Street School is struggling with $1 million in debt after a recent expansion.
The $6,000 the parents hope to raise through the month-long shop won’t solve the school’s financial problems, but parents said they wanted to help in whatever way they could.
“The Church Street School is the only not-for-profit school for music and art in Lower Manhattan,” said Winsome Brown, whose two daughters take classes there. “As the center of the arts in the community, it’s a very essential place.”
The school offers classes to children as young as 16 months, focusing on experimentation as part of the learning process. Adults can take classes as well.
Brown and other TriBeCa parents have donated stacks of gently used clothing, toys and DVDs to the shop, many priced at $5 or less. The most expensive item is a Bugaboo stroller that is going for $150.
Betsy Kerlin, director of programs and development at the Church Street School, said she was encouraged by the parents’ support, as well as the $65,000 the school raised at a separate benefit last week.
“We’re not in any way closing our doors,” Kerlin said. “We will come through this tough time.”
Rondo is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon at 74 Warren St. through May 20.
