If you’ve been around here any length of time, you have probably heard me talk about Value Village. The one I go to is on Boone, across from the Arena.
The good:
- Every Monday (with a few exceptions, usually Monday holidays), both Value Villages in Spokane feature 99 cent Monday – every item with a specified color of tag, no matter what price is on it, is only 99 cents. Look on top of the rack for the signage designating the color, or just ask.
- The organization of the racks cannot be beat! Each rack is labeled as to what sort of item is hanging there, the racks are sized, and within the sizes they are colorized.
- I almost always find current items, many brand-new, with tags still on, even in the 99 cent color tag.
- Need to try on? The fitting rooms are all on the east side of the building, used by men and women alike, but they have mirrors inside and most of them lock.
- Plenty of free parking.
The bad:
- Prices start high. (Although that may not be bad — that’s probably why there’s so much stuff left when it gets down to $1.)
- Rejecting a “colored tagged” item and hanging it on the rack outside the fitting room sentences it to the barrel. Where it goes from there, I have no idea, but no one else gets a chance at it.
- With tons of stuff only 99 cents, you can count on a crowd at opening. Most of the people are nice and friendly, though, even the ones that are making their living off it.
The ugly:
Not long ago, the store didn’t have many shopping carts. Apparently, people began arriving earlier and earlier in order to be one of the first in the door. Even if you were waiting out there when they unlocked the door, you were not guaranteed a cart. It was downright dangerous!
During this period was when we began going every Monday. I made a decision that getting a shopping cart wasn’t worth compromising my dignity. Thankfully, they now have alot more.
Now, since most of you are not here; where is your favorite thrift store?
I have two favorite thrift stops here in Central Illinois – Salvation Army and Best Value. Every Wednesday is 1/2 price day at our local Salvation Army. Best Value also features 1/2 price days, but their days are random. I’ve found many great deals at both.
P.S. LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
Thanks Melody! And thanks for being willing to be the first to speak up. 🙂
I’m a salvation army gal myself (at least here). I just like the fact that there is TONS of stuff to pick through. The trill of the chase and all that. Occasionally I go to other stores, but their prices are always higher than “Sally’s”.
All the thrift stores I have liked best and relied on have closed. I don’t prefer resale and consignment shops and I do prefer church thrift stores. I like the old people who run them!
I also prefer a small shop over a large warehouse type store. And I like to be able to go to that small store regularly so there is less to check through. Since I don’t have a car, that limits me.
Right now my favorite is just such a store that is a mile walk and a bus ride away. I could use 2 buses, but I enjoy the walk. I can’t name it or even the church that it is in because I never learned the name. A friend finally told me about it after keeping it secret for years. 🙂 Like most of this type of store, it closes for the summer.
It has posted prices – I like that – and they are uniformly low. It is never crowded and they are gracious about suggesting using their bathroom to try things on. The light is bad in there no matter whether you are in the bathroom or the store, as it is a basement.
They have things organized in sections that they don’t move around. Everything is folded on tables or hung up. They have very little that is new or in style, other than basics. This is fine with me in general though if I want something on trend I certainly won’t find it there. I would like some walk shorts but there are none there that aren’t pleated. Otherwise, I really am not looking for an inexpensive place to buy what’s in the stores and of the moment. It’s too much change for me. Lately I have been rejecting buying too many basics or “useful” clothing. I’m looking for the kind of thing I always like or something eccentric that is exciting to me.
All around the tables are overstuffed trash bags with donations that haven’t been placed out yet. I’ve seen people go through them on occasion but I don’t, though I may open one and peek at the typical contents.
I like the fact that what I may find will be thoroughly unpredictable. I do much better – am happier – with the serendipitous than I do with composing a list to fill holes in my wardrobe.
Well, Rebecca, I haven’t been to many thrift stores in my life, but I will share this place with you and I think you could come here and visit the store as a business related expense. This store has beautiful clothes, many with the tags still on them, and while I am pretty sure they don’t have a 99 cent day they have some great items….check out http://www.clotheshorseanonymous.com
Katie and Josh are here this week and we hope to visit the Balenciago(sic) exhibit Thursday (another trip you could add onto your business related expenses)….check it out http://www.meadowsmuseumdallas.org/exhibitions_current.htm
Susan 🙂
Oooh. I think I’d really like to shop at Susan’s recommendation — and hit the museum, too!
(Rebecca knows that I’m not good at thrifting.)
Susan, that’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me all day. 🙂 If only I made any money, that would be my idea of a vacation! (And it would be totally fun if you could come too, Wendy!)
Well, I shouldn’t say I haven’t made any money. I got a $25 g/c from Amazon and I used it to buy books for the ladies (one of them was one of those you recommended, Susan). 🙂 And I have sold a few pairs of shoes, so I expect to get a check someday.
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