Feltonville: Just Keep Dreaming

Gail Postell sits in front of her house surrounded by the treasures she hopes to sell before moving in a month.

Although she now works for the Philadelphia Tribune as a telemarketer, her dream has always been to own her own thrift shop. She sells designer clothes, purses, shoes, plates, lamps and electronics. She advertises her sales on Craigslist, but often just gets people from the neighborhood.

"I like seeing people happy if they find something they need," Postell said.

Postell lives across the street from the Wyoming Avenue Baptist Church in Feltonville. When the weather is nice she is often seen sitting outside selling her designer items for cheap. Her prices are typically no more than $20 for items by Gucci, Ann Taylor and Coach. Along with her yard sales she also works with 20 different thrift stores in the area.

"I buy little stuff for a quarter or a dollar and sell it," Postell said.

Postell moved to the area after her common law husband died two years ago. She had lived with him for 10 years, but it was not recognized as official so she received no benefits after he died.

"I just had to start over," Postell said.

She has worked a number of different jobs in her life including working for the Licensing and Inspection Department. For many years she also sold used cars.

She has always struggled with money and finally got Section 8 housing, which is why she intends on moving in a month. The current economy has affected her greatly because the prices for food have become so high that it is often difficult for her to buy what she needs. Postell uses food stamps, but says that they often do not cover everything.

"Maybe God doesn't want me to have good money or a good man," Postell laughs.


Postell advises to always follow your own dream and not the dream of someone else. She continues to work toward her dream of owning her own store.

"I enjoy working for myself," Postell said as she waved to the potential customers walking down the street.





Rebecca Hale and Patrick McCloskey, Group 22, Feltonville