When Busy Philipps and Marc Silverstein decided it was time to clear out their Connecticut storage unit after their separation, they saw an opportunity to do something good with the money. Rather than hiring someone else to handle it, the couple took matters into their own hands and organized a garage sale in New York City.
The two of them, who ended their 14-year marriage in 2021, dedicated themselves to setting up the sale. Busy Philipps, 44, describes the tremendous effort they put in, explaining that she could barely walk on the morning of the sale due to exhaustion from working late the night before and spending the entire week preparing the space at Cure Thrift in New York's Union Square neighborhood.
Liz Wolff, the owner of Cure Thrift, generously provided her extra storefront for the pop-up sale. Wolff, who donates her store proceeds to diabetes research, and Philipps crossed paths when Philipps was filming at Wolff's house. As they got to know each other better, Philipps shared her dilemma of having too much stuff stored away for almost four years. It was then that the idea for the garage sale was born.
The couple gathered clothes, shoes, jewelry, decor, housewares, and various items from their storage unit, including items belonging to their two children, Birdie, 15, and Cricket, 10. Among the items Philipps held in her hand during an interview was a heart-shaped necklace she purchased during her time on the television show Dawson's Creek. She laughed about how it was a trendy style at the time.
Philipps also contributed pottery pieces that she crafted herself, jokingly referring to them as her 'early work.' As an additional fundraising effort, she continues to raffle off a pig pot on Cure Thrift's website, with all proceeds going towards the National Network of Abortion Funds. Despite the unfortunate circumstances that necessitated such donations, Philipps emphasized the importance of giving back during these times.
Seeking support from her friends for the divorce sale, Philipps revealed that her best friend, Michelle Williams, was the only one who provided items to sell. To honor their friendship, Philipps set up a dedicated section at Cure Thrift for Williams, complete with a cardboard cutout. The humorous gesture showcased their close relationship and reminded Philipps of Williams' constant support.
Visitors to the garage sale had the opportunity to purchase personal items from Philipps and Silverstein's time together. For instance, Philipps sold her wedding veil, while Silverstein, 52, offered some party favors from his 50th birthday celebration. With a touch of humor, Silverstein joked about the sturdy cups they had left over but regretted not having any beach towels, as they were in high demand.
Although Philipps initially expressed the emotional weight of the entire experience on Instagram, shedding light on how strange and potentially overwhelming it was for her, she appeared more composed as the sale began. As a self-proclaimed collector, she wanted to be present at the store to witness who would adopt her belongings and ensure they found happy homes.
Philipps conveyed her gratitude for the sale bringing a sense of celebration and fulfillment, highlighting that it took time to get to this point. She also mentioned her desire to showcase a different way to handle separation, emphasizing the conscious decision she and Silverstein made to reach a place where they could amicably organize this event together.
This unique garage sale organized by Busy Philipps and Marc Silverstein served as a heartwarming example of two individuals coming together to give new life to their possessions and raise money for charitable causes. Their commitment to hands-on involvement and their desire to promote a positive approach to separation is truly admirable.
