Nicholas SorensenErie Times-News
Thrift shops are becoming a more economical way for people to save money while shopping for unique items, but what makes them so popular in Erie?
Resale stores are an increasing retail segment that has experienced growth of approximately 7% a year for the past two years, according to the National Association of Resale Professionals. A report by First Research notes 62% of millennial and Generation Z shoppers search for thrifted items before purchasing new.
Worldmetrics.org reports that 13% of millennials are now shopping at thrift stores at least once a week. Thrift stores, according to First Research, include resale shops, consignment shops, thrift shops and antique stores.
Where are some of the best thrift stores in Erie?
Erie is filled with thrift stores from chains including Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries International, to family-owned secondhand stores.
Here is a list of local thrift shops around the area:
- AMVETS Erie: 3424 Liberty St. 814-813-1900.
- Bargain Basem*nt: 3735 W. Lake Road.
- City Mission Shop and Drop Off: 2064 W. 15th St. 814-487-8189.
- City Mission Thrifty Shopper: 10081 Ridge Road. Unit 1, Girard. 814-402-1154.
- Claudine's: 2280 W. 8th St. 814-873-2292.
- Cobbs Second Time Around Thrift Shop: 1215 Parade St. 814-455-4068.
- Early Birds Discount Store: 3830 Liberty St. 814-340-1399.
- Erie Bargains LLC: 11 Clinton St., North East. 814-667-4177.
- Finders Keepers of Erie: 1250 Brown Ave. 814-461-6424.
- Goodwill Harbor Creek Boutique: 4270 E. Lake Road.
- Goodwill Summit Towne Center: 7200 Peach St. 814-866-4762.
- Green Scene Thrift Store: 1301 E. Grandview Blvd. 814-580-1074.
- Mel & Tees Secondhand & Estate: 4915 Hillsdale Ave. 814-881-7724.
- NY Discount Store: 1207 State St. 814-456-0009.
- Once Upon A Child: 7200 Peach St. Unit 160. 814-866-3803.
- Oregon Antiques: 3436 W. Lake Road. 814-836-0737.
- Plato's Closet: 7200 Peach St. Unit 115. 814-866-9822.
- Rainbow Connection Thrift Store: 1516 Buffalo Road. 814-453-4080.
- Salvation Army Thrift Store: 1944 Keystone Drive. 800-728-7825.
- The Sassy Peaco*ck: 845 Pittsburgh Ave. 814-833-0517.
- Thrift Haven: 4455 W. Ridge Road.
- Thrift Witch Revolved Magickal Finds: 2726 W. 8th St. 814-790-5488.
- 4 N.I.N.E. Thrift Store: 49 Smedley St., North East. 814-725-9804.
- 419 Artifacts: 301 W. 10th St.
What draws people to thrift shops?
Thrift shoppers seek out stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army to find not only unique and antique items, but daily necessities such as clothing, and even books and furniture.
“Prior to the growth of thrift shops over the last couple of decades, I think the analogy would be there are estimates of how much the average family saves by shopping for groceries at say Walmart or discount grocery stores compared to major grocery chains,” said Dr. Kenneth Louie, director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie. “It’s substantial enough to induce people to take advantage of those savings.”
A good example would be simple clothing. A pair of men’s jeans at Old Navy costs between $20 and $41.99 on sale. At the Salvation Army at 1209 Sassafras St., a pair of men’s jeans costs $14.99.
Books and DVD movies could cost between 49 cents to $2 at a thrift store and are still in usable conditions.
Shoppers can even find unique items including medical equipment or perfumes for sale.
Get a bargain, help a vet: New AMVETS thrift store open in Erie's Liberty Center
Inflation leads to thrifting
People will also tend to head toward thrift stores because of inflation. Over the past year, consumers have seen the impacts of inflation on daily items.
“The most conspicuous reason recently is inflation,” Louie said. “Although it has been coming down, inflation is still higher than the consumer would like. If you go back to the last 18 months or so, it was even higher. That has been a major reason for the growth and popularities of thrift stores as people try to economize on their budget.”
Environmental impact
Have you ever considered the environmental impact of thrift shopping?
It’s the shopping version of recycling where one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Items found at thrift stores can also be refurbished and created into something new.
“There’s a greater awareness of environmental issues,” Louie said. “There’s concern with depletable resources and helping along those lines by recycling, reusing clothing, utensils, clothing or books. People are more conscious about the impact on the environment. It’s somewhat economic but more of a social reason.”
The minimalist mindset while thrifting
Thrift stores are also popular because people can make donations and easily drop off unwanted items around the house.
A popular trend in today’s world is adopting the minimalist mindset while getting rid of household clutter.
Some people will consider making donations to thrift stores rather than just tossing an item in the garbage if it can still go to good use.
Other people also tend to make donations to get a tax deduction.
“It depends on circ*mstances as you can deduct up to a certain amount, and it depends on your overall deductions compared to your standard deductions as to whether it will benefit you,” Louie said. “For many people it will not ultimately be beneficial but, certainly for people who have lots of deductions, yes that can add to the amount that you can deduct from your taxable income.”
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
