Glam On!
By Rebecca Calappi
Thrifting is having its day. With the insurgence of “cottagecore” and “grandmacore” lifestyles, thrift shops have never been more popular. Whether the thrifter is in it for budget-friendly finds, wants to make an impact on the environment or prefers the design aesthetic of a vintage find, second-hand stores are thriving.
Naki Christopher is the owner of Java Junk Coffee & Resale Shop on Gratiot in Clinton Township. “Refurbished furniture is the most popular right now,” he said. “We’re trending with dressers because that’s a high-priced item. Bed frames and beds are also trending pieces and have been popular for the last three to four years.”
Christopher’s store is an eclectic mix of treasure. He welcomes shoppers to grab a coffee and sip while they explore his curated finds. “The thrifting industry is getting bigger,” said Christopher. “I’ve talked to people who are older, and they tell me about when they were young, they didn’t have thrift stores.”
According to Christopher, the generation setting up house is looking for those quality pieces that will last.
“The younger generation is realizing the cost of brand-new items out there. People will come in here and see a nice lamp with a shade, test it and it works for a very affordable price,” said Christopher.
Tried + True Thrift Shop is a clean, organized gem in Clinton Township. Manager Sharon Weigle, Amy Takala, assistant manager, the organizational genius of the shop, and their team of volunteers, keep displays fresh and clean for customers.
“We do try to make some pretty displays, so people can see how they can use the items,” said Weigle. “We try our best to not put out the product that is broken or, with clothing, anything with stains or holes.”
Tried + True Thrift Shop is part of Faith Baptist Church and is nestled on the campus of the former Baker College. The shop carries a wide variety of donated items including clothing, housewares, jewelry, home décor and more. All the profits from the shop go to help with church projects. Currently, funds are being raised for a gymnasium, which is part of the church campus.
Weigle said that vintage is a hot commodity. “We look up the vintage stuff and see what it’s selling for on Ebay, then we come down on the price 50 to 75 percent. We know our customers and we won’t be putting high prices on it.”
Visiting a boutique thrift shop is wonderful, but if you’re in the mood to dig around, one of the chain thrift stores might be what you need. Multiple chains including The Salvation Army, Value World, Grace Centers of Hope and St. Vincent DePaul all have locations throughout Macomb County.
Even online shoppers can get in on the new-to-you finds on several apps that cater to thrifters, including clothing app ThredUp, Poshmark and Vinted. Thrifting has actual benefits on your budget and on the environment. Give it a try and find your favorite store.
Katy Versteegden of Macomb Township started thrifting about four years ago. “My mom and I were shopping in Birch Run and they had opened a new antique store, and I really wanted to go in, and that’s how it started,” she said.
Now, Versteegden hits up her favorite thrifting spots once a week. “A big part of it is the thrill of the hunt. I get such a dopamine rush,” said Versteegden. “The last few years I’ve been conscious of not buying really cheap things that are going to break in a few years and end up in a landfill. I’m also looking for clothes and not fast fashion, and I know I’m potentially saving something nice from a landfill.”
