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The free general store in Mastic that garnered regional headlines when it opened in November 2023 will be no more.
Angels of Long Island, the Patchogue-based nonprofit group which operates the little market that’s free to families in need, made the announcement Monday.
The adjoining thrift store is also having an everything-must-go sale with 50 percent off through Wednesday.
“We were serving hundreds of families a week,” Angels of Long Island co-founder Debbie Loesch told GLI. “Our overhead costs to run the free grocery store and farmer’s market were tremendous. Electricity alone killed us.”
That’s because the fridges and freezers had to operate 24/7 to keep food fresh, and the operation was forced to pay commercial prices, not residential, she said.
So revenues from the group’s popular Patchogue thrift and community outreach center were being used to float the Mastic location, but that only weakened the finances and mission in Patchogue.
“For almost a year the Patchogue store has been providing funding [for Mastic], putting me in the red in Patchogue,” Loesch said. “We are truthfully heartbroken to leave Mastic, but financially cannot afford it any more.”
On Thursday a new tenant takes over at 14 Herkimer St., which will still be working to support Angels of Long Island.
“We are so excited for the family taking over, and they will still take drop offs on our behalf,” Loesch aid. “We have worked with this family for nine years and our prayers are they will do amazing in Mastic.”
Food distribution will continue in Patchogue on select days. Follow Angels of Long Island on Facebook for updates.
“We leave here [Mastic] on Wednesday but need community support to keep us out of the red,” Loesch said.
Top: Angels of Long Island staffer pushes a cart in June 2024 to make it appear as if she’s shopping in the free Mastic general store. Credit: Michael White/GLI file photo
