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Thrift Shops: A new look, a new life for recycled merchandise

Not your mother's thrift shop anymore... not-for-profit shops nowadays can be large or small, focused or generalists. Shoppers seeking exceptional bargains love NFP stores because the unusual, the exceptional, and the just-plain BUYS are often found here, thanks to operating costs kept low with careful budgeting and cherished volunteers. 

And it used to be that non-profit thrift stores sold used merchandise that was donated only. No more! Now, some thrift shops accept consignments, some buy wholesale to fulfill a need in their marketplace, and some solicit brand-new merchandise from manufacturers and retailers.

Meet one such shop:

Many of you know Brenda and Melissa, co-managers of Bargains Galore in Waupun WI. Well, I had a great consultation with them to discuss refining operations and remodeling the store. Since I was there, they've accomplished it!

Bargains Galore is only open for shopping on Thursdays from 10 to 8, on Fridays 10-2 and Saturdays 10-2...in a town of only 8000 people. Yet they make enough money every year to keep their NFP happy, and to keep 100 volunteers busy and productive: in its first 8 years, this 18000-square-foot store was able to raise over $2 million for its charity. 

Here's what the store looks like now...fabulous! Visit Bargains Galore for more photos and their amazing renovation project.

And speaking of gondolas... which are the multi-tiered shelving units used in many thrift stores to display their variety of home decor and household items... here's an illustration I created for another charitable thrift to help volunteers place incoming goods for best sales appeal. You're welcome to use this in your NFP thrift store!

And speaking of volunteers...Some saleable projects that might be of interest to thrift-store volunteers:
Received some fabric yardage? Make Grab-and-Go baby high chairs, a project from Frugal Baby Tips
Making "bagalopes" out of envelopes: great for "grab bags" of jewelry...or, buying bulk flower seeds and using them as a gift-with-purchase