Everyone loves a bargain or a price steal. I imagine if you had millions you’d still enjoy saving money or if not, the hunt for treasure might thrill you. Looking for deals in thrift stores has always been around, but today more stores are evolving into vehicles for good. There are buy out-right stores, consignment and resale ones, however true thrift stores utilize funds for charities or non-profit organizations (source: What’s the Difference Between a Goodwill Store and a Thrift Store). Goodwill has been raising money as a thrift store organization since 1902 and providing support to food banks, shelters, and meeting community needs. In 2019, more shoppers are frequenting stores and they are discerning not only about what they want but who the stores donate proceeds to. Shopping for a social cause is desirable.
We’re highlighting some key Atlanta stores here, but let’s talk about WHAT people find appealing about thrifting.
I love shopping at thrift stores. They often support a worthy charity and feel like a Treasure Hunt. I most often look for tuxedos and navy sports coats for my sons, books, vintage table linens, anything made in Finland, and ridiculous coffee mugs. I buy some clothing for myself from consignment and thrift stores, because the mass market clothing industry is terrible for the environment. My college age son loves Ragarama (?) for vintage t-shirts and unique festival outfits. – Angela Maki
Photo credit: Angela Maki
Table Runners
Photo credit: Angela Maki
I’m a repurposed and vintage jewelry seller. So I am in my element pawing through bins of tangled chain and orphan earrings. – Nancy Pihera
I look for dishes, CDs and DVDs. I don’t bother with clothes. I also keep an eye out for creepy and crazy things – I don’t buy them, but I do post the pictures of them on my FB page Creepy & Crazy Things I Find At Antique Malls (and thrift stores) – Clay Calhoun
No Longer Bound has become my go to thrift store. Clean, organized, great people for a great cause and the prices are great. I just bought a 55” Vizio smart tv for $68 from there. I’m always looking for knick knacks, glass ware, unique items and furniture. As far as alterations, if it’s something I can fix myself, I buy it. – Kay Hackney
Vintage clothing is also a great find. Going through the dresses is like playing the slot machines.
– Karen Weitzel
Last Chance Thrift Store
Huge store that’s been popular in Atlanta for decades located in Decatur. Years ago, a group of moms and I would take our kids to play in the toys section and look at books (they allowed it if the kids were respectful and not destructive), made our purchases, and then headed out for lunch or playgrounds. It was an easy, fun play date. Plus, thrifting with friends!
Last Chance fan here. After years of being a photo illustrator, I’m always looking for iconic items like old telephones, leather bibles, stopwatches and things I could make photos of and sell to stock agencies. I’m also a big fan of toys from my childhood that I know I can re-sell on eBay, Hotwheels, GI Joe, vintage 1970’s era skateboards, etc. I’m also a fan of men’s uniform jackets, vintage USPS jackets, gas station jackets, delivery jackets, etc. Also I almost exclusively wear second-hand authentic military basic dress uniform pants, because they last for MANY years and are built to withstand a lot of abuse. I have pairs I bought second-hand in the 1990’s that I’m still wearing today with little signs of wear. I’m always keeping an eye out for places that pay returning soldiers $ for their GI issue clothes.
– Chris Hunt of Chris Hunt Photography
…when I needed an outfit for my high school reunion, I bought 4 possible dresses for .99 each!
I find shopping there to be very relaxing; it's like going on a treasure hunt.
– Stephanie Kieszak-Holloway
Last Chance Thrift Store donates towards Cardiac Life Extension and Rescue Coalition to provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for baseball fields around town.
One of our favorite stores in Avondale Estates, Second Life Atlanta, opened in 2011 and was inspired by Tanya and Toby Tabias’ love of their rescue dog, Lucky. You can regularly find vintage jewelry, clothing, records, a large selection of books, and merchandise in pretty good shape. In both stores you’ll find cats available for adoption. They began fostering cats in 2014 and have partnered with PAWS Atlanta since 2016. 150 cats and kittens have found their homes through their two stores. They had a concept of a store that would generate proceeds for animal organizations in the community. Second Life has found incredible success with their two stores (one regular and the other a furniture one).
Photo credit: Jennifer Graham
We are now at $1.4 million in donations to animal rescues and spay/neuter programs – in just 8 ½ years! We have donated to over 70 organizations and rely on our community to help us grow…so we can help even more animals and achieve our next big goal of $2 million!
I recently spoke with Tanya and asked her about the store:
What items do you see that sell quickly in the stores?
We sell a huge variety of items in our stores – including clothing, housewares, décor, furniture, pet supplies…and almost everything else you’d find in a home or patio (with a few exceptions, of course). Our Luckydog Boutique clothing, jewelry and shoes are very popular, as are kitchen items and dinnerware, décor, LPs, books, women’s shirts and dresses and pet supplies. In our Furniture, Décor & More store, vintage décor and collectibles from our childhood (dare I call them vintage) are also quite popular. There is seasonality, but these items are popular throughout the whole year. And of course…it all depends on what you, our customer, is looking for. We have something for everyone!
What do you like and appreciate about your customers?
We have the best supporters! We are constantly amazed by the quality of the donations we receive from our donors – everything from antique to kitschy to brand new, including vintage and designer items, popular brands and more. I think that’s one thing that sets our store apart. Our shoppers know they can find amazing finds at great prices and keep coming back. We love it when they bring their dogs into the stores to shop with them…they always brighten our days. Most of our customers are fully-committed to our mission of giving homeless pets a second chance at life…and we have many regulars who return frequently and tell us “we are their favorite store to shop in.” We love being around animal lovers all day!
Lost-n-Found Youth Thrift and Consignment
Lost-N-Found Youth is an Atlanta, Georgia based nonprofit that exists to end homelessness for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) and all sexual minority youth. Proceeds from items sold are used to support street outreach, a youth center, and transitional housing for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
Their Crisis Support Center offers these services:
- 24/7 phone, texts, and email response
- Emergency and transitional housing
- Emergency clothing and food for youth on the street
- Mental health evaluations and counseling
- Referrals to HIV/STD testing, health and dental services
- Assistance for lost or stolen birth certificates, driver’s licenses or state ID cards
- Referrals to GED training/testing and other education resources
- Resume writing/editing and interview skills training
Lost-n-Found is located on Chantilly Drive in Atlanta and offers three 24-hour drop-boxes around town – at their location, the Phillip Rush Center, and Henry’s Midtown Tavern. You can call to schedule a pickup of donated items too. Lost-n-Found Youth Thrift and Consignment is open to the general public seven days a week.
Furkids Thrift Stores
They have everything from 25 cent cups to $1,000 china sets and everything in between, including roaming cats. Yes, roaming cats. These stores support Furkids. Furkids is a cage-free shelter and their stores follow suit. You’ll always find store cats who are out and about in the store. They are a customer favorite, and if you’re lucky they might help you shop. One could even go home with you as a new adopted family member!
Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters is the largest no-kill rescue organization in Georgia. In 2016, Furkids served 4,527 cats and dogs. The revenue generated from donations to the stores allows them to provide lifesaving medical care, shelter and food for over 1,000 animals on a daily basis.
Photo credit: Furkids website
One thing is certain. People like to donate to causes when they can afford it. Whether a shopper buys a teacup or a dining room set, they are contributing to valuable community resources. Social good while doing something you enjoy!
By Jennifer Graham
