"We want Somerville to come here not because we're training people with disabilities," she said. "We want Somerville to come here because this is a great place to shop."

Indeed, the stock is more orderly and the atmosphere more refined than in the average nonprofit shop. For that, thank Manager Diane Gerber, who has a background in retailing.

With the slogan "Boutique shopping at thrift-store prices," the store at 91 W. Main St. stocks women's clothing, jewelry and accessories, as well as clothes for men and children. A recent visit found a jacket from Banana Republic, men's dress shirts from Structure and Arrow, and women's fashions from Tahari, Ellen Tracy, Nordstrom and Jones New York.

The Tahari suit, with a sage-green jacket and brown skirt, was priced at $18. Gerber paired it with a $3 blouse for display in the store. The men's shirts were $7 apiece.

Most of the items are lightly used, but some are new. Gerber is working through her wholesale contacts to develop a continuing supply of new goods, and the store seeks donations of good-quality used clothes, jewelry and accessories from the public. The store does not stock housewares, linens or furniture.

"We wanted to make it a fresh smell, a fresh look, a fresh feel - maybe a little more SoHo," said Bine-Callagy, who is the director of Bridges to Employment, a division of Alternatives Inc., a nonprofit based in Raritan Borough that helps people with disabilities attain housing and jobs.

"People really like the "almost new' goods," Gerber said. "Everybody loves a bargain."

Bridges to Employment won a $120,000 grant from the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to open the store, Bine-Callagy said. The grant will pay the rent and Gerber's salary for the first year, but after that, the store must support itself.

"It's All Good" opened on Dec. 14 and so far the only employee is Gerber. Bine-Callagy says it will eventually open pathways to employment for individuals with disabilities by providing "job sampling," allowing them to work a few days in a retail environment so they and their managers can assess their skills and interests, as well as part-time paid jobs providing up to four weeks of work experience.

"We are helping people who have barriers to employment, and want to help them be successful in their job search," she said.

Stephen Reed: sreed@mycentraljersey.com, 908-243-6609