Thrift stores offer low prices, still see decreased purchases
Edgar Degollado, 27, of Chicago looks through items at Goodwill in DeKalb Thursday night.
October 27, 2011
Thrift stores and resale shops in DeKalb are faring well despite the recession, said Lavish Thrift owner Angie Miller.
At Lavish Thrift, 153 E. Lincoln Highway, Miller sells used items such as clothing, glassware and antiques. Miller said she believes the rough economy is actually helping her business.
“People don’t want to pay full price,” Miller said. “Our store can give people the opportunity, so they don’t have to [pay full price] for quality items. Because of the economy, our store has the opportunity to save that money.”
Miller said since her store has several “below average prices,” customers do not have to go to other stores to get things like heavy duty pans, which they sell for $2.
“We have good quality items for a quarter of the price that you’d pay anywhere else,” Miller said.
Vickie Obermiller, owner of Kid Stuff, 149 E. Lincoln Highway, sells a wide range of cheap items, like clothing and toys, with prices ranging from 29 cents to $300.
“They’re looking for an alternative to regular-priced items,” Obermiller said. “They find that the items are new here and have the same quality level as mall stores, without those prices that go with them.”
Obermiller said more customers are visiting her store, but the economy still causes them to buy less.
“The quantity people used to buy was about 15 to 20 outfits for a kid for the season,” Obermiller said. “Now they’re buying 10 outfits for a season. So they’re buying a little less at cheaper rates and cheaper prices so they can stay in their personal budgets.”
Miller also said her customers are becoming less able to buy what they want, especially college students.
“We do have a lot of college kids that can’t find jobs, so they can’t buy things that they want,” Miller said.
Taylor Nelson, sophomore special education major, said even though she has two jobs, she still knows how hard it is to afford what she wants.
“I’m paying for everything that I can, but even with two jobs there are things I can’t afford,” Nelson said. “But it takes patience and hard work to get what you want.”
