Whether you are motivated by saving money, or being trendy, or finding an alternative to “fast fashion” — and are concerned about sustainability at the same time — shopping secondhand is hot.
While Gen Z members (born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s) are most likely to thrift shop, the savings could motivate anyone. According to CouponFollow.com, secondhand shoppers save an average of $1,760 per year.
The Spring Branch Management District offers several secondhand shopping locations for saving money in the new year, whether you are looking for clothing, books, housewares or antiques. And they help save resources by extending the use and re-using of goods in keeping with the sustainability frame of mind:
MAM Resale, 1625 Blalock Rd.
MAM Resale is a thrift store benefiting the mission of Memorial Assistance Ministries to help families meet their basic needs and learn skills to build better lives.
You can also benefit from the deals. On a recent treasure hunt, we found an adorable Brighton bag in their “high end” boutique, a special section in the back of the store.
From clothing to home goods to toys, offers 14,000 square feet of thrift shopping paradise. They also do Facebook Live sales.
MAM resale
St. Christopher’s Resale Shop
St. Christopher’s Resale Shop, 1650 Blalock Rd.
St. Christopher’s is just a hop and a skip from MAM and an outreach ministry of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
We spotted Legos and Russian and Polish Easter eggs. Need a graduation gown for a photo shoot before the big day? You can find those at St. Christopher’s. We also scooped up a t-shirt from a local Houston brewery for $1, allowing us to save money and rep a local business at the same time. Those extra dollars can go to beer.
Blind Girl Productions, 2317 Bingle Rd.
Blind Girl Productions is home to many interesting and unusual items, mostly vintage items from post World War II through the 1980s.
Whether it’s decorative (a massive sign from a former drug store chain) or useful (a working rotary phone), Blind Girl probably has it — somewhere.
We found vintage pins from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a search that led to the owners showing us a series of rodeo belt buckles and more rodeo paraphernalia. They even have secondhand boots and other things to help you get rodeo ready.
Blind Girl Productions
Designer Diva
Designer Diva, 10605 Stebbins Circle
If you’re looking for a formal gown or a high end fashion item, be sure to check out Designer Diva. The massive showroom offers something for every style, size and budget. And, to get the exact fit for any items you may find, Designer Diva has a seamstress on site with more than 30 years of experience.
We happened to show up on a major sale day with many items 75 percent or even 90 percent off. Bring a friend to help you search. There is a lot to peruse.
http://designerdivaresale.org
Value Village, 1811 Gessner Rd.
Every day, this chain thrift store posts the “color of the day.” Items tagged with that color are 50 percent off.
Goodwill Outlet Store and Donation Center, 7960 Long Point Rd.
Everyone knows about Goodwill. This Goodwill “outlet” is a thrift-lovers dream with bins upon bins of items to go through.
Family Thrift, 8120 Long Point Rd.
Family Thrift offers ever-changing used clothing items from popular brands at discount prices. The store also stocks a variety of household items, toys and books.
Becker’s Books, 7405 Westview Dr.
Skip ordering books on Amazon and support a local bookstore instead. Even better, Becker’s Books is a secondhand bookstore with a massive inventory.
Sure, you can use an e-reader like Kindle, but there is nothing that compares to the “real thing.” Get your hands on a stack of “new to you” books to read in 2023 at this Spring Branch District institution.
— By Dorothy Puch Lillig
