I've written about the Hoboken Thrift store, or St. Mary's Advocates Thrift Store as it's officially known, in these pages before, and about all of the wonderful people I've met there and the beautiful treasures and clothing I've found over the years. A while ago I'd heard from some of the gorgeous women who I know who volunteer there that one of the volunteers had opened her own store. I had missed seeing her at the Hoboken Thrift, because every time I was there when she was I had a smile on my face just listening to her talk about the clothing and decorative items and watching her showing things to people, helping them pick out outfits and finding the most wonderful combinations of things to share and encourage people to try on and wear.
Over time I found out that her name was Joann, and it was so much fun when she was there. It's always fun at the Hoboken Thrift store because everyone who volunteers there has such a wonderful and uniquely kind and joyful way about them, and when Joann was there it always felt like I was shopping in a place where everything and everyone was being outfitted for the best days of their lives.
There's something about people who love fashion and styling that makes every moment when you are around them and they are around clothing feel like a party. Playing dress up was always one of the things I loved to do, and it still is, so meeting someone like Joann at the Hoboken Thrift made one of my favorite places to go even more special. When I heard she'd opened her own store I knew it would be wonderful, and I planned to find a time to go there to see her and enjoy the new space where she was creating her own kind of sunshine.
The name of Joann's store is OliJon's and is named after Joann and her husband John's two children, Olivia and Jonpierre. Inside it is bright and airy, and filled with the gorgeous treasures Joann finds. As she has experienced the complications and challenges of treatments and surgeries due to a breast cancer diagnosis 15 years ago, Joann also wants to give back to the community, sharing time and donating, helping to give people a smile and encouragement with whatever issues they are facing. When I was visiting and speaking with her, I found out that during prom season she had shared items and styling with prom goers who were on limited budgets to make sure they could go to the Prom feeling special.
Knowing someone like Joann is a treat in so many ways. Her style sense and sense of fun are beautiful to experience, and she is also so strong and resilient underneath her natural beauty and easy glamour. There is a beauty that shines from within that makes a beautiful woman a star, and Joann is one of those beauties who stands so strong in the face of the challenges of her life that she gives others a light to help keep them going.
