“You can feel the love right from when you walk in,” New Thrift Store to Inspire a More Compassionate Greenwich

When the world went dark in March 2020, her family-owned restaurant was given no choice but to close its doors and only accept orders for takeout and delivery. Yet Maria Katsaros still felt an unrelenting urge for inspiration.

“Call it a dream, call it a thought,” Katsaros said, a Christian woman calling for a purpose. “An idea popped in my head, and it wasn’t just a random idea, it was a calling for God”

In January 2021, The Marketplace by Fofie & Mia’s opened in Greenwich just down the street from the Karipides/Katsaros family restaurant, Famous Greek Kitchen. The thrift store has begun to fill the Byram area with a reminiscent spirit it had previously lacked. With an eccentric interior giving the space a retro as well as flowery view from the street, The Marketplace has something for everyone.

“From the time that I opened this store until now, I see this amazing spirit and love,” Katsaros said of the Mill Street space. “Byram -- this area -- really needed something special.”

Katsaros has hired five women, ages 15 to 38, to run her store, and has plans to turn the business over to them when they are ready.

“They walked in my door and I just thought it was meant to be, I put all these girls together and it’s like they’re a sisterhood, and they all are learning from each other while being here,” Katsaros said.

Each of the girls has a unique story and were all in need of somewhere special like The Marketplace to provide them with a loving environment.

On the wall reads a Bible passage from Jeremiah 29:11: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.’”

“That was kind of like the idea for the place,” Katsaros said about the passage in relation to her staff and their overall mission.

“You do this for someone, and then they turn around and do it for someone else,” she said. “If that continues, not only will we have better human beings, we will have nicer places based on kindness and love; This is for God’s Glory.”

Many locals have come in to donate after hearing of Katsaros’ mission, and the shop has become home to a variety of special, one-of-akind items. Ralph Lauren suits, clothing from Paris Fashion week and Prada shoes are just the beginning of what’s on display.

“I love this store more than I care about profit,” Katsaros said. “If it’s meant for me to empty my bank account to support these girls and God’s plan, I will.”

No donation gets turned away at the Marketplace, and all that cannot be sold is repurposed in its donation to an appropriate cause. Katsaros recalled giving shelved and dust-collecting coats to the New York City Midnight Run project, a group that provides resources to the homeless.

Katsaros has hopes of opening a coffee bar inside The Marketplace by Fofie & Mia’s and has strategically placed a table in the store to prompt customers to gather and converse.

“People can come and sit down and hang out, maybe put books on the table and leave them, just a place to gather,” Katsaros said.

For more information, visit The Marketplace by Fofie & Mia’s Facebook page as well as the store Instagram: @themarketplace. fofiemia.