Thrift stores thriving as traditional retailers suffer

Peter Dang, 7, of Burnsville, finds a miniature violin for sale at the Goodwill store in Eagan.

[Fed up with bailing out]

I LOVE thrift shopping and I couldn't begin to add up the money I've saved. I don't need to thrift shop - I just do. In my mind I cannot justify spending $35+ for a top when I can find it for a few bucks at my favorite thrift shop. I not only thrift shop a lot, but I donate a lot as well. I rarely pay over $5 for a pair of jeans. I just found a plant light set-up for $1.95. Something just like it would cost me well over $100+ brand new. The most exciting purchase I've made is a $300 sweater for $14.99. It was a beautiful baby blue hooded wool sweater made in Norway. The tags were still on it. I don't normally pay $14.99 for anything in a thrift store, but I knew what I was getting and it was brand new.

[Who works at these stores]

We have concerns that thrift stores other than Goodwill and Savers hire illegals. We report what we see almost daily but the INS states that they can not reveal the status of their investigations. Only when these retail owners are shut down will we stop calling.

[Bah Humbug]

I ain't gonna wear someone else's castoffs. Ever hear of cooties?

[Jim Swayzee]

The story could've mentioned Half Price Books which has seven Twin Cities locations and sells books, music and movies at half price or less. Every day's a sale!

[Chris]

Bah Humbug wrote:

I ain't gonna wear someone else's castoffs. Ever hear of cooties?

It depends on the store. The merchandise at Karma Clothing Co. in downtown Stillwater is very high quality and super clean. In most cases, you can't even tell it's used.

[grama who cares]

Great idea for woodbury.

[to hard]

I try, but I can't get past it. My sister on the other hand, she is crazy thrift shopper. She has found alot of really great deals, so I go with her and watch and try to learn. I think I have a malfunction in my brain.

[NWI]

Why would they build a new store in Woodbury when there are sooooo many vacant stores here already? Why not just lease/buy one of those.

[Dicky]

Fed up with bailing out wrote:

I LOVE thrift shopping and I couldn't begin to add up the money I've saved. I don't need to thrift shop - I just do. In my mind I cannot justify spending $35+ for a top when I can find it for a few bucks at my favorite thrift shop. I not only thrift shop a lot, but I donate a lot as well. I rarely pay over $5 for a pair of jeans. I just found a plant light set-up for $1.95. Something just like it would cost me well over $100+ brand new. The most exciting purchase I've made is a $300 sweater for $14.99. It was a beautiful baby blue hooded wool sweater made in Norway. The tags were still on it. I don't normally pay $14.99 for anything in a thrift store, but I knew what I was getting and it was brand new.

What is the plant light for? Growing some natural herbs? Puff, puff, give!

[drew15]

Ummm, given the economy why is this "news?" Everyone is looking to save money. I have a family member who lived through the depression in the 30s, and his behavior, even when economic conditions were good, essentialy made him act in a miserly fashion.

[Huh]

Dicky wrote:

<quoted text>
What is the plant light for? Growing some natural herbs? Puff, puff, give!

Isn't it "puff, puff PASS?" ;)

[Sad Times]

I can't believe that folks are struggling in upscale Woodbury! Things must really be bad - it must be related to home prices falling 20+ percent. They need to stay put and another 10 to 15 years and at least they will be back in the black on their home.

[drew15]

Someone from Ohio knows what is going on in Woodbury Minnesota? Methinks I smell a troll. How upscale is Woodbury? It's a relatively newly area developed and there are some nice homes. It's not Frogtown. Is that undesirable?

[Mrs R]

I likes me some used things.

[Deb]

Bah Humbug wrote:

I ain't gonna wear someone else's castoffs. Ever hear of cooties?

Ever hear of a washing machine?:)

[Ugh]

This is not good news for Apple Valley. Another dump of a store. First Wal-MArt, then Goodwill, and now Savers. Oh I forgot Appliance Smart.

[Laura Moore]

NWI wrote:

Why would they build a new store in Woodbury when there are sooooo many vacant stores here already? Why not just lease/buy one of those.

To answer your question, Goodwill has a specific square footage and a build out to make their business model work. Specifically they need 20,000 square feet and have to have a drive thru. We would of loved to of found a space existing in Woodburt. It would of made their rent cheaper.

[Laura Moore]

Fed up with bailing out wrote:

I LOVE thrift shopping and I couldn't begin to add up the money I've saved. I don't need to thrift shop - I just do. In my mind I cannot justify spending $35+ for a top when I can find it for a few bucks at my favorite thrift shop. I not only thrift shop a lot, but I donate a lot as well. I rarely pay over $5 for a pair of jeans. I just found a plant light set-up for $1.95. Something just like it would cost me well over $100+ brand new. The most exciting purchase I've made is a $300 sweater for $14.99. It was a beautiful baby blue hooded wool sweater made in Norway. The tags were still on it. I don't normally pay $14.99 for anything in a thrift store, but I knew what I was getting and it was brand new.

Plus your money is going to a good cause!

[Laura Moore]

grama who cares wrote:

Great idea for woodbury.

Who doesn't want to save money!

[LadieGaGa]

There used to be a Salvation Army In St Paul on White Bear Avenue. Too bad this store closed down, & now is just sitting vacant.:-(
We need another thrift store to move in.