I love taking an entire morning to hit the local thrift stores. Sorting through the racks of color-coordinated clothes is the ultimate hunt for treasure:
After I’ve pillaged the clothing section, I spend time browsing the other parts of the store. This entire rack was dedicated to ziplock bags of unfinished projects….I felt right at home:
Every thrift store has a large power cord section….I should remember this the next time I lose my phone charger:
Some thrift stores are nicer than others:
Random rug art….this was once a great idea:
Wedding dresses (a few were ripped so badly I immediately thought: Bridezilla):
I always get a little sad in thrift stores…..like it’s the end of the road for some….
….kind of like a place where really old things go to die. Depressing, right?
I hit three thrift stores yesterday. Each one in a different part of town. I spend a lot of time observing the people shopping….but I never have the guts to ask to take their photo.
A young man whipping through the store in 3 seconds flat….obviously looking for some specific electronic.
An elderly farmer waiting in line to purchase a pair of dress pants, maybe for his grandaughter’s graduation?
A young woman browsing the 99 cent intimates rack.
It’s a scene from a John Steinbeck novel. A reminder of what’s discarded, unedited and real.
Exactly how I feel in there too. Great pictures of my favorite place to be, even when it's sad. The good thing is we get to bring new life into some things 🙂 xoxox
this is an awesome post. Thrift stores contain so much history.
The thrift store is on my list for after work today… I always go with something in mind, and I typically find it. Today is a vintage suitcase to add to my collection- new favorite project mod podging fabric to the outside of the case in a coordinating color.
I adore thrift stores, all kinds, in every city I can find them…At Christmas, I always purchase my decorations there, as they want to sparkle and bring happiness again, and I want to give them a happy new home they can again bring Christmas Cheer!
Thrift stores RULE. ♥
oh how i WISH we had thrift stores here. we have started having 'charity shops' to help stray animals, but you RARELY ever find anything worthwhile. its really all junk so its quite depressing really. when i make it to america one day, thats where i'll ask my hubby to take me!!! he'd think i'm mad! haha
becky
I like going to thrift stores as well, but since I live in a very small town, there aren't many thrift stores here so I have to wait until we go out of town. Going to the thrift store is like hunting for treasure. LOL!
SIGH…I need a good thrift store fix…I may have to settle on the local goodwill…all the good ones seem to be a dying breed.
I so enjoyed going to the thrift stores in California while visiting my daughter. I came home with 4 small china bowls for desert, 3 glasses with sunflower seeds on them, books, VHS's, and more for so little. We only have a few thrift stores up here in the high desert so it was a treat.
nanasknoll.blogspot.com
Poignant and well observed.
Never thought about charity shops like that before – you're very observant, thoughtful and a clever writer!
Great post! Especially the poignant rhino photo!! Thrift stores always have me thinking about 'Where did you come from?'
Oh the thrift store, my favorite fabric store. I may have more fabric from repurposed clothing in my stash than yardage….
In fact, my children think repurposing is why we go there and head right to the adult section to look for their clothes. They are ages 4 and 6. hehe.
I have never commented before, but I have to thank you for referencing Steinbeck. My favorite of all time, and such a fitting reference here.
I love your site, and my 3-year-old daughter loves the stuffed frog we made from your frog beanbag pattern.
I just spent SIX HOURS thrifting today, so yeah…I like thrift stores, too.
lovely post. i hadnt thought about the whole, "where old stuff goes to die" thing before.. that is really sad, now that i think about it. i do, however, feel the urge to buy a bunch of stuffed animals, because i want to rescue them and give them a home. is that weird? lol
As a thrifting/garage/rummage sale addict, I can soooooo relate to this post!!! And yeah…I get sad when I see the toys too. I just want to save them!
Also, there's one thrift store I frequent that has a GREAT selection of fabric and sewing patterns. It's a little sad though b/c the volunteers there tell me that most of the stuff is from people who have passed away. I usually say a "quiet" thank you in my head and let the people know that I will continue to love their stuff for them.
Again, great post! 🙂