Heather Kay, manager at Plato’s Closet, 2843 E. Grand River Ave., inspects a shirt, brought in by Samantha Markus, for any stains before deciding to purchase it for the store. Plato’s Closet buys used brand-name clothing and accessories for teens and young adults.
Whether it’s the glittering disco balls at the door or the satisfaction of sifting through pounds of clothes to snatch the perfect top, thrift and resale stores across East Lansing are grabbing community members’ attention.
With gas prices soaring and the economy suffering, some shoppers say these stores can offer inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative, to department store shopping.
One such store is the resale store Plato’s Closet, 2843 E. Grand River Ave., which has grown to 250 independently owned branches across the United States and Canada from its original store in Ohio.
Abigail Brown, owner of four Plato’s Closet stores throughout Mid-Michigan, said the store branches off from a save-the-Earth mentality.
“Plato, the philosopher, was really into recycling,” Brown said.
“With this business we’re able to help people reuse clothes they don’t want, which goes along with saving the planet.”
Eric Merckling, owner of Scavenger Hunt, 503 E. Grand River Ave., said recycling is key to his store.
“Everyone is aware of the need to recycle, whether they commit to it and take the plunge is the difference,” Merckling said. “High gas prices for one is motivating them to take that plunge and reuse.”
Aside from wanting customers to think more about saving resources, Brown said her stores especially target high school-aged consumers, and that college shoppers are not as common as she would expect.
“You’d think more college students would be excited about cheap clothes,” Brown said. “I hope that they catch on to this great business.”
Kelli Sickles, an arts and humanities sophomore, said she used to shop at stores like Goodwill back in high school for costumes.
“Stores like that are a really good thing, because they keep usable clothes from just going to waste,” Sickles said.
“I’ll admit there are limits, though. Things like underwear, I would definitely not buy secondhand.”
Another community member who has made a living in the business is Darlene Rowlison.
Owner of Thrifty Treasures, 3191 Birch Row Drive, Rowlison has been working at the store for 16 years. She said she has noticed a change in the age demographic of her customers.
“I have people of all ages coming in here,” Rowlison said. “More and more young people shop here all the time, and college students especially come in to pick up necessities like irons or toasters.”
Rowlison said a lot of merchandise is resold after customers bring it to the store, but she also attends auctions and estate sales to find items for good prices that don’t require shoppers to go very far.
“Because money is tight, people are shopping closer to home,” Rowlison said. “We have a lot to offer — if they need household items, clothes, jewelry, they come here.”
Lansing resident Geary Morrill said he has shopped at thrift stores his whole life.
“I like to find things that are unique, that other people can’t buy,” Morrill said. “It’s a way to not waste things, and besides, where else can you find a good pair of penny loafers these days?”
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