Thrift shop’s windows fire up spirit of the Fourth

The Working Wardrobes thrift shop in Costa Mesa is paying tribute to Independence Day all month through patriotic-themed attire and window paintings.

Working Wardrobes is a Costa Mesa-based organization that helps people recovering from alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, homelessness, serious illness and financial loss find jobs by offering them discounted workforce-ready clothing, along with other services.

The shop, at 803 19th St., is outfitted in star-spangled and nautical details, from the six sets of windows with painted-on fireworks and a ship to clothes accessorized with festive scarves.

Paper lanterns designed with the American flag dangle from the ceiling. A striped dress is accented with a red belt. A white suit is combined with a blue shirt.

The window design, titled “Sailing Through the Stars and Stripes,” is a concept by store manager Anthony Galang and assistant manager Liliana Castillo.

“I love doing displays, and this was fun,” Galang said. “It really draws in the eye.”

Galang, who has managed the shop since November, said he and his team began in January separating out donations that fell into the July 4 theme. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries from different states who were volunteering with the organization helped design the windows and assemble mannequins.

Ninety cents of every dollar spent at the Working Wardrobes thrift shop, which has additional locations in Anaheim and Garden Grove, support the organization’s services. The nonprofit also runs The Hanger, a consignment and resale boutique with locations in Tustin and Laguna Niguel.

The Costa Mesa store plans to feature different themes each month.

For more information, call (949) 629-2697 or visit workingwardrobes.org.