“Why should you shop secondhand?” My answer is why not? Thrift shopping is not only fun, but it is a great way to save money and support a local cause. I’m shocked when I hear people have never enjoyed the hunt for thrift store finds. It’s really something to add to your bucket list and I’m sharing some reasons today as to why I shop secondhand.
This post contains photos of some of the types of unique and interesting thrift store finds you’ll come across at the Thriftique Showroom, along with my personal reasons for thrift shopping. Thriftique Showroom is a top thrift location in Cleveland, Ohio operated by NCJW/Cleveland. All proceeds from sales at this thrift shop go toward community programs that improve the lives of women, children and families.
Thrift Store Finds
What Can You Find at Thrift Shops?
Shopping secondhand has many perks, including helping you to save money and to find rare and unique items. The amount and types of items available at thrift shops is truly amazing! Thriftique Showroom is one of Northeast Ohio’s largest upscale resale shops and one of the Cleveland thrift stores.
The shop has been in operation for more than eight decades and the shop carries men’s and women’s clothing, housewares, purses, shoes, linens, artwork, furniture and other must-have items.
People also frequently thrift shop for kitchenware items, picture frames, jewelry and other accessories, too. Also let’s not forget that thrifting is a great way to find items you may only need one time – such as a Halloween costume or an “ugly sweater” for a holiday party!
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My Thrifting Story
I’ve been buying secondhand for as long as I can remember. As a child I frequently went to garage sales in the summer with my mom and grandmother. As I got older we took trips to antique shops (I learned very soon on to not touch anything fragile!).
We would also go to flea markets, rummage sales and, of course, thrift shops. Most teens get their driver’s license and are eager to drive their friends around or drive to work.
I was eager to have the ability to drive to a church rummage sale at 7 a.m. on a Friday morning in the summer! Yes, I was totally crazy but at a young age I learned how to score great deals on vintage and rare items.
What to Find at Thrift Store
10 Reasons to Thrift Shop
Today my thrifting passion continues although I don’t get out shopping as much as I would like now that I have a little one in tow. But I’m excited to teach her about thrift shopping and how to find deals on used items – as soon as she is old enough. Shopping secondhand is enjoyable and wise for many reasons.
Here are 10 reasons to go thrift shopping:
1) Save Money. Let’s get right to the point. When you thrift shop you save money! This is a huge reason why I like thrift shopping, and why so many people decide to thrift shop.
Every single item you find at a thrift shop is going to sell for less than full retail. Pair that with a sale (which many thrift stores offer) and you really find some deals.
2) Unique Items. Another reason I like thrift shopping is because thrifting allows me to find and purchase completely unique and one-of-a-kind items.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been wearing a “new to me” piece of clothing and had someone compliment me, as where I purchased it, and I share the item was thrifted. The same goes for interesting housewares, knick knacks, furniture and more.
3) Have Fun. Another reason I like thrift shopping is to have fun. With a thrift shop, such as Thriftique Showroom, you never know what you are going to find. Items change daily, new stock is added and no two trips will be the same. When you want to leisurely window shop and browse racks – thrift shopping is where it’s at. I also enjoy the joy of the “hunt.”
Sometimes I do have something specific I’m looking for. It could take weeks, months or years to find that perfect item, when looking for thrift store finds, but that’s where the magic really happens.
4) Support a Cause. Almost every thrift shop is in operation to support a charity, cause or mission. Many thrift shops are run by non-profit organizations and proceeds from sales benefit a cause. Some of these benefits also go directly back into the local community where the thrift shop is located.
For example, at Thriftique Showroom, all proceeds from sales go to NCJW/Cleveland, an organization that strives to improve the lives of women, children and families in the local community.
Past proceeds have funded projects such as helping to build libraries for underfunded schools, providing mentorship for aged out foster children and providing winter clothes for the homeless.
Cleveland Thrift Stores
5) Environmentally Conscious. In addition to supporting a cause, by thrift shopping, you are in essence supporting the environmental. Thrift shops allow items to be resold and reused.
This cuts down on purchases of new items and can support the environment. I can’t control what manufacturers produce and put on new retail racks but I can show my support for used items by where I spend my dollars.
6) Rare and Valuable Items. Another fun part of thrift shopping is finding a rare or designer item. In this case I might buy the item for myself to enjoy, or I might resell the item to turn a profit.
Thrift shop items are already discounted but most thrift shops are not going to price items so high that they can’t move inventory.
This means you can find some really unique and rare items if you are up for the hunt! Thriftique Showroom offers many trendy and coveted items without a hefty price tag.
Some thrift shops, including the showroom, also feature a designer or high-end, luxury clothing area. This is a great way to score thrift deals on the top brands!
7) Vintage Stuff. Along the same lines, by thrift shopping I’m able to find vintage items to decorate my home or enjoy. Some of my favorites are finding old record albums.
I also like shopping for vintage planters for my pots, vintage accessories such as scarves or belts to wear and old glassware and kitchen items.
8) DIY and Crafting Items. In addition to crafting supplies such as yarn which can easily be found at thrift shops and used for crochet or knitting – shopping secondhand is a great way to support craft and DIY projects when looking for thrift store finds.
I once used a bunch of vintage mens neck ties to create a skirt. I used old blue jeans to sew a purse. Other items like photo frames can easily be repainted and used again.
9) One Stop Shop. Another great thing about thrift shopping is it allows one stop shopping. Thrift stores, such as Thriftique Showroom, include items from all departments!
From women’s and men’s clothing, to housewares, furniture, craft supplies, accessories and vintage items – thrift shopping truly allows “one stop” shopping. This saves me time and energy!
Also because inventory is constantly evolving, there are always new items to be found at a thrift shop.
10) Shop Undisturbed. The last thing I really enjoy about thrift shopping is that I can shop undisturbed. Many retail stores will offer employees commissions for securing a sale or a credit card sign up.
When I thrift shop I am rarely bothered or asked what I’m shopping for or pushed by a salesperson to make a purchase. Thrift shopping is leisurely and enjoyable.
Thrift Store Finds
In Summary
If you have never gone thrift shopping before, you really need to try it! Everyone has a reason why they shop secondhand. Your reason could be one of mine, several reasons or a reason of your own. Don’t let the idea of entering a thrift shop intimidate you.
Again, one of the things I like most about thrifting is the leisurely hunt and not being pestered by salespeople at Cleveland thrift stores. Thrifting is really low key and it’s what you make of it. Maybe you come home with a large haul, maybe one item or maybe nothing. Some shops also share their latest finds on social media.
This will help you gain an idea of some typical thrift store finds. You can follow the Thriftique Showroom by visiting their shop online, and by following them on Facebook and Instagram. If you are in the Cleveland, Ohio area the shop is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Disclosure: I partnered with Thriftique Showroom for this post and received compensation in exchange for writing a blog post about my passion for thrifting and highlighting the unique offerings at Thriftique Showroom. The content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Photos provided courtesy of Thriftique Showroom.
Love this post. I remember my first experience shopping at a Thrift store – my aunt took us there for school clothes shopping. We were so excited we tried the clothes on over our clothes right there in the aisle. My son is frugal as well, we went shopping for Christmas baskets and Christmas cups for his friend’s family, his aunt & uncle and cousins and his grandma. We added hot chocolate and tea for the 99 Store and homemade cookies for each (he was about 10 yrs old). He got his prom jacket at another Thrift store.
How awesome! I do think thrifting is a bit of a learned practice and runs in families.
Great post. I love thrift shopping also. Followed from Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing on FB.
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