Some embrace the philosophy that donating and buying used clothing is worthwhile to keep unwanted material out of local landfill sites.
Others are inspired by the benevolence of donating to others and for many facing rising inflation and stagnant wages, it's a necessity.
And for some, there’s the joys of treasure hunting.
“Thrift stores are my favourite stores to go shopping. I like to find the hidden gems,” said Paige Trapp, of Penetanguishene, while rifling through the racks at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Midland.
Trapp recently purchased a pair of Roots jeans for $10; they sell for $100 or more new.
There are at least five shops in the Midland region that sell or donate clothing and acquire clothing free or for a low cost.
Clinton Carlton, manager of the Midland ReStore, said they started a pilot project last June of taking clothing donations and reselling.
“We get a lot, a lot of clothing that we sell,” Carlton said. Its so successful as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, it has prompted other ReStores in the region to add clothing, Carlton said.
Lisa Bourgeois, ReStore sales associate, said customers discover the clothing while shopping for other things.
“Someone comes in looking for a chair and inevitably they walk out with a shirt,” she said.
“We get a lot of brand name, high-end stuff and it’s priced to sell. Our shirts sell for $5 and our jeans sell for $10 and there’s no tax.”
Customer Tammy Mochan, of Midland, is a regular and has been shopping the clothes section since it started.
“I’ve bought about 10 things,” Mochan said. “I find quality things and there’s product here you can’t find at the other places and I like looking at the antique furniture and the other stuff as well.”
Anything not sold is packaged and sold to a recycling firm, said Carlton, stressing nothing goes to landfill.
Ashley McFayden, owner of Taiden’s Treehouse in Midland, buys and sells gently used children’s clothing, toys, books and gear. She opened her store in Penetanguishene in 2018 but quickly outgrew the space. She moved to a larger store on King Street in Midland in 2022.
“I think the biggest benefit is having a dedicated affordable kids store in our area,” she said.
“If you need something for your kids, you can stay local and hopefully find everything you need.”
It also provides a way for people to bring in items and get cash or credit for the next things children are growing into, she added.
“Hopefully we can keep things out of the landfill for a little big longer.”
Gabrielle Gidley owns and operates Babygagaa Boutique, a small shop at the back of Hair Fantasy in Midland and sells through her website. She buys and sells children’s clothing and toys from newborn to 6X.
“It’s very small, 10’ by 10’ but it’s packed,” said Gidley, who used to operate from the mini-mall on King Street.
“We opened to help people who have nothing. I’ve helped a lot of people in the past five years.”
Part of her profits go to Chigamik Community Health Centre, which in turn provide Gagaa Bucks to clients who can bring them to shop in her store for free.
Marilynne Bellisle, director of Penetanguishene Friends of Youth, has a shop within the Village Square Mall in Penetanguishene, courtesy of the mall owners. Friends of Youth take donations of clothing and small household items.
“Penetanguishene people are very generous,” she said.
Friends of Youth, a charity run by volunteers that has operating for the past 20 years including the last five at the mall, sell items, especially adult clothing, for as little as $1.
“We have customers that come all the time. People on low income needs stores like this.”
All proceeds raised go to the Town of Penetanguishene toward park projects. Overall, Friends of Youth have raised more than $1 million.
They recently raised $75,000 towards the construction of a BMX track.
The Salvation Army Thrift Shop is always busy. While MidlandToday was speaking with Lieut. Corps Officers and Pastors Aimee and John Thomas, the conversation was interrupted several times in order to let customers with carts go by.
“The price isn’t rising here at the Thrift Store,” said Aimee. “That's huge for the community. They know they can come and it’s as affordable as possible.”
Also, when they are done with clothing and other items, they can donate it and have it repurposed.
Clothing that isn’t sold still helps the Salvation Army because it’s sold to a material recycling company.
Re-purposing things is part of the original philosophy of the Salvation Army from England, said John.
What’s old is new again.
“People realize now you can get amazing stuff at the thrift store,” Aimee said.
Proceeds from the store go toward the Salvation Army services in Midland including the food bank and the outreach snack and social program for homeless individuals.
