Johnnie-Mae’s Thrift Store
Johnnie-Mae’s Thrift Store was born from a deep desire to honor the legacy of my grandmother, Johnnie-Mae Roberts of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. She was much more than a pillar in my life—she was my constant source of faith, strength, wisdom, and hope. Her profound influence continues to live on through me and the mission God has placed on my heart.
Having grown up in the foster care system, I experienced firsthand the severe hardships, trauma, and instability that youth face. I know exactly what it feels like to navigate an unstable home environment, to overcome all types of abuse, to go without adequate food, shoes, or clothing, and to feel uncomfortable around classmates. Compounding these struggles, I became pregnant at 15 and a single teenage mother at just 16 years old.
Yet, through it all, God kept me. Whenever I felt hurt, overwhelmed, or like my life would soon be over, I would call my grandmother. She would immediately encourage me, and she would require me to open my Bible, go to a Psalm, and read it out loud with her—starting at the age of 9 years old. She would help me build my relationship with Jesus Christ. The Word of God became my absolute source of strength and literally kept me alive. Because I have personally walked in those shoes, I hold a deep, empathetic heart for children, teen parents, foster families, and individuals facing difficult circumstances. I understand what it means to need a helping hand, to wish for someone to care, and to know the scripture reference firsthand of being taken up by God according to Psalm 27:10: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.”
By God’s grace, I went on to become a loving mother, a foster parent, an entrepreneur, a licensed cosmetologist, and a former salon owner. Today, I believe God has called me to use everything I have overcome to lift up others. One of those callings is Johnnie-Mae’s Thrift Store.
Our mission is to provide affordable, quality clothing, shoes, beauty products, and everyday essentials while directly giving back to children, teen parents, and families in need. This is far more than a simple retail store to me; it is my testimony, my grandmother’s legacy, and my ultimate purpose.
I warmly invite you to become a part of the Johnnie-Mae’s Thrift Store family. Your purchases, your clothing donations, and your prayers can help turn someone else’s difficult chapter into a beautiful story of hope. Thank you for believing in this vision and helping me bring this God-given mission to life.