How thrifting turns common cast-offs into treasured finds, connecting us to our past – and to each other.
Thrifting is the art of finding value and beauty in objects left behind, a practice that’s been around for centuries. The first second-hand outlets were the “curiosity shops” that popped up during the Renaissance, where specialized collectors presented objects of notable provenance to well-to-do customers. One of the most famous of these shops in history was the one featured in the Charles Dickens novel The Old Curiosity Shop, a real boutique in central London dating back to the 1600s.
Such businesses resold a wide variety of pre-owned goods – but not clothing. Until about 1900, fabric was so expensive that clothing was usually only passed down or repurposed into other things from accessories to housewares to rags. As Industrialization created more economical textiles, stylish women sought out the fine silks, velvets, and brocades of earlier generations’ garments to create memorable new gowns that signaled Old Money. Resellers sprung up in cities across the country, catering to fashion’s hunger for nostalgia in a quickly-changing world.
By the early 1900s, the pre-owned clothing trend jumped to poorer classes through “thrift stores” like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, who trained & hired the “less fortunate” to refurbish donated goods and clothing (which were then re-sold to fund more training & work stipends). These shops were particularly popular with the country’s growing immigrant populations, who were eager to dress and furnish their homes like Americans but as low-paid workers they often lacked the money to buy new.
Over the years, thrifting has fallen in and out of vogue. Today, it’s enjoying a moment thanks to social media, where influencers earn big views showing off their impressive, second-hand hauls. Finding treasures might not be as easy as they make it look, but it’s still a rewarding pursuit. No one knows this better than the staff and customers of Bargain Thrift Center in Germantown, a favorite destination for savvy shoppers since 1985.
Ms. Yvette has been a regular here for more than 20 years, impressed by the quality of goods she finds at every visit. The price is right, too – especially the many $1 items, and various color-coded discounts she knows to look out for. “My favorite thing to shop for is purses,” she told us, “But the best thing about coming here are the different people you meet, and the good conversations you’ll have.”
Indeed, for many Bargain Thrift customers, shopping here is a calming, social activity. “It always feels like a community relaxation spot,” said Birdie Busch, a local artist/musician and thrift store enthusiast. For the last decade, she’s shopped for “literally everything” here, from clothing to housewares to random curiosities: “The coolest thing I’ve found has got to be the vintage Italian art projector called an ‘Episcopio’ – you can put any image on it, and it’ll project it onto a wall, old-school style.” 😲
As a commercial community enterprise, Bargain Thrift Center fills a super unique niche. Most thrift stores are affiliated with charity organizations: churches, hospitals, and other nonprofits serving a particular mission. Bargain Thrift however operates as a woman-owned small business, contributing to the local economy and maintaining strong ties with its customers, who are neighbors and friends.
“It’s a place for people to shop but also where folks can catch up with each other, spend time together, and just be social for awhile,” said Shannon Sims, a shopper and employee who lives in the area, like most of Bargain Thrift’s staff and clientele. Coworker Kat added, “Germantown has lost a lot of businesses in these last couple of years, I’m glad we have continued to be an affordable, accessible resource.”
Bargain Thrift Center’s feel-good business model even includes grassroots fundraising. There’s a big red Drop Bin by their front door, and all donations benefit Fox Chase Cancer Center. They also host clothing drives for a variety of other causes: schools, churches, synagogues, sports teams, scout troops, PTAs… With no Board of Directors to answer to, they’re free to meet community needs as they arise.
“Partnering with all these different charities across the Delaware Valley allows us to offer a truly exceptional array of high-quality clothing and home goods,” explained Bargain Thrift’s owner, Sara Shannon. “It’s a virtuous circle – these special items stay out of landfills, and the money helps support good causes.”
The Holidays are a great time to save on seasonal décor, party supplies, winter clothes, and unique gifts. This New Years, make a resolution to stop by Bargain Thrift Center to wish them a happy 40th birthday in 2025. 🎂🎈🍾
BARGAIN THRIFT CENTER
Stop in for an exciting mix of name-brand clothing and accessories, jewelry, housewares, linens, toys, games, books, artwork, vintage and collectibles. Thoughtfully priced, artfully presented, and offered with love. 💝
5261 Germantown Avenue (at Queen Lane)
215.849.3225 | @BargainThriftCenter
Open Daily Except Sunday
❓👖🖼️🛼🎮 GOT STUFF? Declutter your home for the Holidays! Bargain Thrift welcomes your gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories, household linens, toys, and housewares. They donate cash per pound to Fox Chase, and provide you with a handy receipt for your tax records. Learn more at bargainthriftcenter.com. Follow @bargainthriftcenter on Facebook and Instagram (where we grabbed most of the images in this post).
FIVE FUN QUOTES
I can’t count the amount of times I’ve heard people say the store is a blessing to them. I’ve seen several shoppers get excited about our prices and how much it helps to be able to stretch their budget here. And a lot of people are becoming more conscious of their eco foot print, so thrifting is one of the most sustainable things you can do instead of consuming more new items. — Shannon, Bargain Thrift staffer since 2020
I thrift because I genuinely like the quality of the items available second-hand. And it’s important to me that I’m not feeding into “fast fashion” with cheap new clothes that shed microplastics into our water supply. — Birdie, shopper since 2015
When it comes to thrifting, organization is everything and we do that here so well with color coordination and clearly-defined sections. We also have a great sorting system that flags stains and damages before items hit the sales floor. — Kat, staffer since 2009
I had just moved to Philly from WI, so I stopped here for household items and just kind of fell in love with the place. Anyone who visited me from home got a Bargain Thrift trip! I brought my partner here when we were first dating, and he bought me these cool oval mirrors for my apartment — which is now our apartment. And it’s funny because they’re not really his style. — Sarah, shopper since 2018
Bargain Thrift has good quality and prices, with a family atmosphere. But most importantly they have the best staff – they’re awesome! — Ms Yvette, shopper since the 00’s
PRO TIPS: Whoever you are and whatever you seek, the one thing that’s most helpful is patience. Slow down, and get in a good mindspace to browse thoughtfully. Read labels and inspect small details. Test everything from zippers to electronics, part of the fun of second-hand is the tactile experience.
And here’s a style secret all the smartest fashionistas know: the best denim is almost exclusively found in thrift shops! Manufacturers stopped producing 100% natural fiber denim in the late 1990’s, because it was cheaper (and easier to mass produce) if they incorporated synthetic fibers. So instead of breathable denim that softens and conforms to your body over time, modern denim is stretchy with elastic threads that break down with every wash, losing shape and resilience. It’s also really bad for the environment.
Here’s to recycling quality goods and trends — best wishes for happy shopping!
This thrift store is awesome, I used to go her with my parents and now I go with my daughter and my granddaughter, goes to show how long they have been around, I’m 62 yrs old.