Hello Fellow Springfield Thrifters!
I’m Marisa. Growing up, I went to garage sales every weekend with my grandparents. What sounds like an early morning full of boring rummaging was actually a day full of what felt like hunting for treasure. I stopped going when I was older but still loved to find knick-knacks and bargains. When I went off to college, and the song, “Thrift Shop,” became popular, it felt like everyone wanted a bargain and a piece of thrift store magic. And I’ve been visiting thrift stores regularly since then.
As a college student, I feel like I’m constantly on the McDonalds Dollar Menu budget. When I shop in retail, I’m usually greeted by lofty prices and abrasive retail employees. And when I’m leaving the mall, I generally feel sad that I can’t find a good deal on clothes and wish I had money for a pretzel (but mostly wishing I had money for a pretzel).
Since I moved to Springfield about three and a half years ago, I’ve visited thrift stores frequently. When I walk in, I’m immediately greeted by cheap prices and unique merchandise. It’s a great feeling knowing you can take home anything your heart desires at a low price.
I started Springfield Thrift Haul because I want to do the following:
I want to unveil the number of small treasures you can find in Springfield thrift stores; that even though goods can seem disposable, they’re not always dispensable.
I also want to showcase how big of a difference the Springfield thrift store community makes, as they continually give their profits to local non-profits organizations. Your purchases at thrift stores, no matter how significant or insignificant it feels, is making a difference in someone else’s life. How awesome is that?
And finally, I want to create an online community for people to share what they’ve found in thrift stores. That means YOU. Yes, you. Upload a photo of that cozy flannel you bought recently, or maybe you found reasonably priced Crock Pot to perfect the best chili recipe. Share what you’ve found on this website. After all, others shared their forgotten treasures with you- when you found them at the thrift stores.
Marisa
Special thanks to Dr. Jonathan Groves, Okan Benn, Ema Dimitrova, Leonardo Schneider, Pexels.com and Stocksnap.io.