Background:
Originally from an upper-middle
class neighborhood in New Jersey, I grew up “keeping up with the Jones.” We had very few thrift stores, not that
I’d ever dare buy something used.
I’d heard stories from friends living in other areas about the fabulous
finds hidden at stores like the Salvation Army and Goodwill, but had never seen
them for myself and quite frankly wasn’t interested. High priced department stores, like Bloomingdales and
Nordstrom’s, were my haven; plus, how embarrassing would it be to buy something
used?! Looking back now, the
thought and the money wasted during those years make me sick to my
stomach. These days when I
travel home I’m always disappointed that I won’t be able to score an awesome
find or catch a great deal at a store offering one of those specials thrift
shoppers crave, a bag day or 50% off everything sale.
So What Changed?
When I moved to New Orleans
everything changed. The selection
of department stores was limited; I remember asking myself how a city survives
without a Bloomingdales. At the
same time, I started living off a college student’s budget and perpetually
scheming ways to save or make money. Luckily, I quickly found an answer: thrift
shopping! I started off small with
trendy, chain resale shops like Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet, but soon
made my way down to where the real bargains lay at charity shops like Blooming
Deals and the Salvation Army. What
started as an experiment became a lifestyle and nowadays, thrifting is not just
the most economical way for me to shop, it’s my favorite way too.
Top Choices:
Thrift stores are everywhere down
here and almost all of them are home to some amazing bargains. Here are my top three in the area and
some tips and tricks to score big!
(This list is by new means exhaustive of all the thrift store options
New Orleanians have to choose from.)
1.
The Salvation Army Family Store
The Salvation Army is my favorite
place to thrift. The store is
packed full with amazing finds at great prices. While my favorite finds are usually designer pieces at rock
bottom prices, often new with tags, I’m constantly finding amazing vintage
items in the bric-a-brac section.
Even better, every Wednesday the store offers all clothing at 50% off
the ticketed price and all other items at 25% off! I’m here about once a week.
2.
Bloomin' Deals
Bloomin' Deals is another amazing choice that’s close to home. The store is run by the Junior League,
which makes regular donations to the thrift store a membership
requirement. Although their prices
are higher than some stores, their designer treasures make it worth it (..can
you say Tory Burch Corduroy Blazer for $10?!). This store is my favorite for finding great deals on suit
sets for the office and pre-packaged gifts for a variety of occasions. Twice a year they host a bag day, which
is an experience like none other.
Participants pay $9 to fill up a 33-gallon garbage bag with anything in
the store. Shelves generally get
cleared within 2-3 hours and the store takes 2 days to restock completely. The week after always feels like
Christmas with an entirely new selection of merchandise to shop from!
3.
Red, White, and Blue
Although
a little farther from my house, this is one of those stores at which shopping
becomes an all-day event and therefore is worth the drive. Red, White, and Blue is housed in a
giant warehouse in Harahan that contains anything and everything you can
possibly think of. This store is
sorted by color with individually priced pieces usually a bit higher than other
places. However, something is on
sale every single day. They
usually choose 2-3 colored labels to mark 50% off, but get lucky and you’ll
walk in there on a day the entire store is 50% off! They also have a senior sale every Wednesday where the whole
store is 50% off for people over a certain age.
Ta
Dahh! So there you have it, my
favorite thrift stores in the New Orleans area. Make sure to take some time and explore, shop, and enjoy; especially
if you’ve never thrifted before. You’re
sure to find something you’ll love, at a price retail could never beat! Remember, thrifting is a great way to
save on things like Holiday decorations and gifts as well!
Let
me know what you think about this post.
Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite thrift store!
~JSH
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