by Jessica Alvarado

Ah, thrift stores, either you love them, or you avoid them at all costs. If you happen to love them, read on to learn some tips and tricks to enhance your experiences scouring racks and shelves for hidden gems. If you avoid thrift stores like the plague, this article may make you more open to exploring all the wonderful things thrift stores offer.

What is there to love about thrift stores? Well, their charm is multifaceted.

1.       They save you money- the easiest reason to stroll into a thrift store from time to time is the fact that you can get great items for a fraction of the cost at a regular store.

2.       Reducing waste- most of us aren’t tree-hugging environmentalists, but generally, people want to help care for the planet and not contribute significantly to unnecessary waste. A simple way to do that is to buy previously used items that can serve your family for many years.

3.       Your purchase helps others- most thrift stores have missions beyond just giving you a good deal on a new napkin holder. They seek to help and support the most vulnerable in our community, so shopping at them is a fun and easy way to give back.

4.       You find the most unique things- one can find the most quirky and unique things at thrift stores that will make friends and family wonder, ‘Where did you get that?’ One-of-a-kind pieces, vintage classics, and the cutest baby clothes you’ve ever seen can all be found within the walls of a good ol’ thrift store.

For those who have a little fire lit under you to tackle serious bargain hunting, here are some tips to make the most of your time before your adventure. Thrifting can be time-consuming, so if you have better tools in your toolbelt, you’re more likely to have the most successful shopping trips possible.

1.       Follow local thrift stores on social media- Thrift stores market on social media. They often do promotions and discounts, so it pays to be in the know so you can score even better deals on your next shopping trip.

2.       Keep a running list of items that you want/need- The notes app on your phone is the perfect place to keep a list of things to keep your eye out for at thrift stores. Items your children will need soon, like the next size in shoes or clothes. When you’re not in desperate need of an item, you can take your time to find the right thing for the best price. Or maybe a few household items are not immediate necessities but things you’d like to have. You can check out the thrift stores to see if they have what you’re looking for before you purchase it brand new. It pays to stay ahead of the game, so don’t just think right in the moment but also about what’s coming up; maybe you’ll be hosting an event soon, and what curated décor for it?

3.       Don’t stay stuck in a specific size- An experienced thrifter knows thrift store sizes are everywhere. It pays to look a size or two below or above what you typically wear. Clothes stretch and shrink, so don’t be hyper-fixed on the number or letter on the tag; instead, hold it up to yourself or try it on to see how it fits your body.

4.       Be an inspector- Thoroughly inspect every item before purchasing it. Minor flaws are nothing to be concerned about, but sometimes a huge stain or even a hole can slip past you in the moment. So, hold those items up to the light, test them out if you can, and look everything twice over to make sure it’s up to your quality standards.

5.       Just because you can doesn’t mean you should- A huge temptation is to purchase too much stuff just because it’s cheap. There can be some fun and exciting stuff in thrift stores, but be cautious; just because you can buy ten shirts for $1 a piece doesn’t mean you should. Be mindful and rational, and you’ll go home with stuff you love and will actually use without unnecessarily cluttering up your house in the process.

So, friends, I have faith that if you utilize these tips, you’ll be in for some fun and adventurous shopping trips at the many wonderful thrift stores that Billing’s offers.

Thrift Stores Around Town:

West End

Goodwill: 951 S 29th St W

MRM Bargain Center: 1233 24th St West

Creative Treasures: 1120 16th St W

Downtown

Gratitude in Action: 10 S 20th St

Family Service Thrift Store: 3927 1st Ave S

Goodwill: 823 N 27th St

St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store: 2610 Montana Ave

Heights

Goodwill: 1636 Main St.

Consignment Stores & More:

West End

Moms 2B & Precious Seconds: 1005 24th St W

Nearly New Shoppe: 801 14th St W

Savvy Seconds:1739 Grand Ave

Switch Society: 2500 Grand Ave

Downtown

Underground Fashion Exchange: 2413 Montana Ave

Laurel

Blessed Beginnings: 101 W Main St

Originally printed in the October 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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