Thrift Shops Do Well In A Bad Economy

Linda Quarles estimated she saved at least $4 when she bought a new air filter for a dollar at the Salvation Army thrift store on Kenilworth Boulevard.

The Sebring resident is one of many shoppers who changed the way they shop since the economy took a nose dive.

Last week, Quarles bought a George Foreman Grill at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for $7, and said she saves at least $3,000 a year shopping at thrift shops and garage sales.

"I'm a reformed snob," she said. "I used to shop only at name brand stores.

"We throw out so much wonderful stuff - such a waste."

Ellen Berryhill, a worker at Faith's Closet at Faith Lutheran Church, said shoppers are finding bargains at thrift shops where they're buying more clothing.

The Lakeview Drive thrift shop often sells six pieces of clothes by the bag for a $1. A single customer recently purchased 60 pieces of children's garments at one time.

Maj. Mary Holmes said customer buying habits have changed. Specialty items, like glass art, are out, and clothing sales are in.

"They're not buying large items like they used to, they're buying the basics and what they need," said Holmes.

Bruce Harris manages the Salvation Army Thrift Store. He said customers are comparison shopping at several thrift shops more than before and clothing sales are up.

"They're looking to see what deals they can get," said Harris. "They go where the sales are. And we're very competitive."

Larry Porter, manager at the Habitat for Humanity store on South Commerce Avenue, sells no clothing, but instead stocks a large variety of household goods, which includes household appliances and furniture.

Sales are down about 3 percent at the Habitat store since this time last year, said Porter, and since then the type of items donated to the thrift store changed.

"Donations are slowing down on high-priced items - stoves, refrigerators and appliances - we're not getting as many," said Porter.

About a mile away, at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop, Harris and Holmes would likely agree.

People are not replacing items by buying new goods, and then donating the used to thrift shops, according to Harris.

"They're not making what they used to, or they lost a job," said Harris.

Holmes also said some former thrift shop benefactors are selling large household goods at garage sales rather than donating to charity.