THRIFTY CHIC'S/LIMITED EDITIONS

Thrift stores are extremely popular despite opposing opinions or views of things being passed-on or passed down. There are several kinds of thrifty places to shop whether it be a person selling their things on the curbside of a home, from out of thrift clothing stores, or lastly at flea-markets. While some people love the bargained sale of a high price item others shop at thrifty places to find quality items paired with affordable purchasing.

It’s not very often that I shop at a thrift shop. I am not a bargain shopper, neither am I fond of purchasing things others have had. The irony is, I have been to all three thrifty places purchasing items I cherished, love the idea, and am amazed at the variety of people visiting.

Often in middle to upper middle-class neighborhoods you will see items selling on a curbside. The items are usually taken care of and have their original shine. So, then what brings about the sale? Various things such as the original owner purchasing new furniture, downsizing, moving someplace far or just for financial gain. I’ve never purchased from this kind of thrift sale but see them often.

I have been in thrift stores and have purchased from two places. While in college in NYC there was always somewhere to go, and most importantly somewhere to shop. One store in particular was in Fort Greene Brooklyn. I went to it with a couple of my girlfriends. The store was well put together and friendly on the inside. The designer clothes all had an amazingly chic style. Nothing in the store was plain. There were plenty of items for me to choose from, but I settled for a fashionable jacket. The jacket was black with a gold detailing design squiggled all around. I was impressed and thrilled to walk around campus with an item I knew no one else was wearing. The popular stores on Jamaica Ave where I lived, were affordable popular ventures for out-of-town college students to shop in, but the clothes were easy access. One of the advantages of thrift stores is that they retain mature items unlikely for other stores to carry and are located in low populated areas. Plus, the value of the items are most likely prized treasured.

I love flea markets. The food, the toys, and the sights to see are just a peaceful one-day getaway fascinating trip. One of my fondest memories was when my dad purchased me a huge teddy bear. I slept with the teddy for years. It was so big it was bigger than I. As a child I suffered from horrendous nightmares. Instead of my dad staying up all night until I fell asleep, I now had my teddy safeguarding and keeping me snug at night. I wish I still had it. My little sister got a puppy for Christmas and the dog chewed my teddy to pieces. I was devastated from the lost, and of course my dad stood back in place of “big ol’ teddy.” As I stated before, it is rare to find things sold in thrifty places. I did not receive another teddy bear like that until I was in my twenties. The heart-warming love of a father never forgets the things that mean the most to their children. The new teddy is about the same size or bigger, but the old teddy will never be forgotten.

I worked as a Supports Coordinator with the intellectually disabled community for two years. During my time with my agency, I got the grand opportunity of aiding in finding my client a job. The job was at Goodwill. If you are unfamiliar, Goodwill is an agency creating job training programs, and placing those in employment by selling donated clothing and household items. The store is thrifty and is full. Many purchase the items and donate it to the Salvation Army, or even to the homeless in shelters.

I may not love all the items inside of thrifty stores, but the special items you find are those found to treasure for a lifetime. RIP Teddy.