By Lydia Kirkpatrick 

Guest Writer 

SWARTHMORE, Pa. — Thrift shopping, once overlooked or stigmatized, is now a trendy way to try new styles and reduce your carbon footprint. With various shops all around Delaware County, it’s hard to pick which place you should head to for a weekend shopping spree. Maybe you’re in need of a fresh wardrobe or a few knick-knacks for your home but unwilling to compromise your bank account or sanity. Look no further than Heart & Soul’d, a family-owned and operated thrift store in the heart of Swarthmore’s “The Ville.” Shopping at Heart & Soul’d is not only cost-effective and stocked with great finds, but the place is brimming with neighborly charm. One visit to the store will secure your place in the Heart & Soul’d family, and their mission makes the trip even more worthwhile. 

Terry Crossan and Kristen Mancini founded Heart & Soul’d together in 2024, although technically their story began in 2023. The two sisters were spending an evening together, watching TV, when a program about kindness featured a woman who had opened a clothing closet out of her garage to raise money for adoption legal fees. This hit close to home for both Terry and Kristen, as they are both mothers of adopted children. 

At that moment, they looked at one another and said, “We could do this.” 

It started as a website, a long list of items they’d compiled and were selling out of their homes. While Mancini had earned her master’s in business and marketing from Saint Joseph’s University, before opening the shop she focused on being a present and devoted mother to her children. During the first year of being open, Crossan was teaching food chemistry to students at St. Joe’s and worked at Archbishop Carroll High School in campus ministry. Neither of the sisters was prepared for what operating a small business entailed, but they pursued their calling. 

On Jan. 26, 2024, they opened the doors to their brick-and-mortar shop in the heart of Swarthmore, and the rest is history. Within their first year, they were able to donate $16,000 to four different nonprofit organizations that assisted foster families and children. They’re known to tell shoppers they use their income to pay the bills and keep the lights on, but everything else is donated. In 2025, their donation total rose to $20,000, while also giving away 175 backpacks, over 325 school supplies, holding two holiday toy drives, and inviting aging-out foster children to come in and shop 100% free to help furnish their first apartments. In their third year of operation, they’re shooting for a whopping $40,000 in donations to various organizations. The sisters are confident they’ll reach the goal. 

What sets their store apart from any other thrift store is their unwavering commitment to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for all who enter their doors. The shop’s patrons range from long-term Swarthmore residents to new-to-the-area college students, and they have something for everyone. With affordable prices and a wide selection of goods, Heart & Soul’d is a one-stop shop for anyone in need of a cute outfit, glittering jewelry, a set of china, or a fun, eye-catching trinket. Even if they can’t fit an item in their store, they will find a way to connect donors with someone who needs what they no longer do. They accept donations on a rolling basis but ask people to drop off no more than two bags at a time, taking a broad range of housewares, clothing, shoes, and accessories—their only limitation being electronics. 

Crossan describes donation sorting as a “big surprise party,” and Mancini recalls a time when the surprise was a bit more shocking than usual. 

“One of our regulars is a jewelry lover; we always know when something comes in that’s just right for her,” Mancini said. “Last week, she was here right as a new donation arrived and asked if she could look through it. As she was sorting, she suddenly called out, ‘Oh my god, there’s teeth!’ Sure enough, tucked away in the donation was someone’s baby teeth. As a parent, I get it—you stash that stuff away and sometimes lose track of where it ends up. We all had a good laugh. She took the necklace—after a thorough cleaning—and the best part? The original owner was still in the shop and was able to get her children’s baby teeth back.” 

The sisters always keep the atmosphere fun and vibrant in their shop, but they never lose sight of the reason behind their efforts. They invite adopted or foster children and individuals who visit the store to add their names to the wall right next to the counter to “keep your mission close, and that’s what we do.” This detail serves as a constant reminder to customers and volunteers that the store’s purpose goes far deeper than just selling secondhand items. When asked what they hope people take away when shopping at Heart & Soul’d, Crossan responded, “Joy. Joy about our mission, joy about their purchases, joy about their donations if they donated. Joy.” 

Being in The Ville has been essential to their journey; the overwhelming support from neighbors and fellow vendors has been the heartbeat of their mission. They have numerous stories of community members generously donating items, their time, and performance fundraisers to assist in continuing their work. Reflecting on the vendor support, Crossan noted, “The merchants are everything. We’ve got this neighborhood. The support is unbelievable.” Heart & Soul’d has quickly become a staple in the Swarthmore community, participating in events like the Night Market, Swarthmore’s Art Walk, their annual Fashion Show, and local charity fundraisers. 

On any given day, numerous volunteers assist the sisters in organizing stock, processing donations, and interacting with customers. While they love and appreciate all the enthusiastic volunteer interest, they said they are “blissfully full.” They receive assistance from various organizations that support adults with disabilities, such as Inspire, CADES, and the Elwyn Institute. Whether a seasoned volunteer or an occasional helper, the rhythmic act of folding and sorting clothing has become an attractive way to give back to the community. 

Beyond the racks, the store owners never miss an opportunity to educate people on the realities facing youth who age out of the foster care system. “That age 18 thing, I think, has been an eye-opener to me,” Mancini said. “Imagine you need a job, you need a home. You need to know how to pay your cell phone bill on a monthly basis. And in many cases, you don’t even have a cell phone.” 

Heart & Soul’d ensures its profits go directly to organizations addressing those needs. In their first year, they covered six months of rent for Fostering Hope of Delaware County’s share closet. They also regularly support Well Rooted and CASA Youth Advocates, Family Support Line, and Adoptions From the Heart—the agency through which both sisters adopted their own children. 

Although their shop is thriving, Mancini noted that they have no plans to expand simply because when either is away from the store, they miss connecting with their regulars. “You know, the funny thing is, a lot of people talk about their blood pressure going up on their way to work. Mine goes down. Because this is this calming place. It’s always fun,” said Crossan. 

Heart & Soul’d is located at 407 Dartmouth Ave. in Swarthmore. Visitors can stay updated on community events through their social channels (@heartsould_ on Instagram and Heart & Soul’d on Facebook), and review donation guidelines online at heartsould.com. 

Photography by Emiliano Villagomez-Lopez 

Lydia Kirkpatrick graduated from DCCC in May 2026.  She served as the graphic designer last year with The Phantom Student Press.  An All-PA Academic team winner, she is currently studying at Kutztown University.