Dec. 1, 2008 issue
In hard times, thrift shops thrive
By Aimee Siebert For Mennonite Weekly ReviewPage:
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NEWTON, Kan. — The troubled economy is changing the way people think of shopping at thrift stores.
Assistant manager Sarah Fleming, left, and volunteer Lois Goertzen talk as they sort houseware donations at the Newton Et Cetera Shop. — Photo by Aimee Siebert/MWR
“The mentality of the thrift shops is changing,” said Diana Miller, Mennonite Central Committee U.S. thrift shop development coordinator. “There is a swing to ‘shopping thrift is cool,’ and anyone can find a bargain, no matter your financial state.”
Since beginning her leadership role with the MCC Thrift Network in March, Miller has seen two reactions to the economy that are affecting growth in thrift shops.
More people are having hard times, which increases the appeal of bargain shopping, and “more people are also being conscientious about their buying habits,” she said.
Miller oversees the thrift network’s 52 shops in the United States, in coordination with the parallel group in Canada under MCC Canada. Last year, these groups contributed $10.4 million to MCC. In addition, the U.S. network plans to start four new shops in California, Miami, New York and Arthur, Ill.
The Newton Et Cetera Shop, a member of the thrift network, has seen increased revenue this year.
“We are constantly exceeding the monthly goals,” said Leia Lawrence, the shop’s general manager.
Lawrence sees the whole spectrum of Newton’s community come through the store, “from the homeless with vouchers to people wanting to shop more conscientiously and ethically.”
Lawrence also has not seen the tapering off of donations that is typical to thrift stores in the colder months.
Evelyn Fleming, who has volunteered at the Newton Et Cetera Shop for 15 years, recalls when managers called volunteers to say the shop was not busy enough to need them. But it’s not like that anymore.
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