About Us
Our story dates back to 1939, when “The Woman’s Exchange” opened in Highland Park Village as a consignment shop. The store served as a source of income for consignors, for whom jobs were scarce. Several years later, the Junior League of Dallas purchased the store to be a fundraising project. By 1958, The Women of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church bought the store from The Junior League for $1,500 to create the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange we all enjoy today. The rest is history! Our store has occupied #5 Highland Park Village for over six decades and is an institution in the shopping center today.
On the surface, St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange may look like other chic gift shops. But it isn’t. Proceeds generated from sales in our store are given away, benefiting those in need. And its been this way since 1958. How do we do it? Our store is run by volunteers, 140 of them! The buyers, display artists, salespeople, cashiers, gift wrappers, department chairs, governing board, and accounting and advertising team...all volunteers. In the early years, the volunteers were mostly all parishioners at Saint Michael and All Angels Church; however, today more than one third of us are not members of the church. The store is a real community effort, and we love that. Each year, the proceeds from the store are distributed via grants in our own community and beyond.
A committee which reviews grant requests from over 100 agencies uses the criteria outlined in the book of Matthew.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.”
In 1958, our first year of operation, the store was profitable and $2200 was distributed to those in need. Over the ensuing six decades, the cumulative giving total has surpassed $11 million. On the occasion of our 60th birthday we made this commemorative video. Enjoy!
Dallas loves the store’s mission, to be sure; but shoppers really come for the unique and elegant merchandise. Whatever the reason, we welcome your business and will be delighted to help you find the perfect gift or accessory for your lovely home. Shop Once...Give Twice!