Thrifting is the New Black in Shopping

If your spring plans include some home décor updates, then consider checking out the great variety of thrift and consignment stores we’re lucky to have here in Marion County. Looking for a funky piece of artwork in just the right colors for your sunroom? Maybe that coffee pot that matches your mother’s china pattern? You may have good luck finding them in a store full of pre-owned goods.

Whether you call them thrift stores, consignment shops or junque stores, thrifting is a fun and cost-conscious way to find furniture, artwork, home décor items, clothing and more. We’re especially blessed in this part of Florida because, with so many people relocating here and retirees in the area, the turnover in stock in many stores is frequent and offers opportunities for some real bargains.
Not all such stores are the same, so there are variations to consider when shopping. Some offer pickup and delivery, some have a charity or nonprofit element, and some are privately owned and may offer more discerning reviews of the items they accept.

CONSIGNMENT STORES
These stores accept items from multiple sellers and split a percentage of the sales price between the shop and the consignor (typically about 50 percent). They generate revenue through sales and owners tend to evaluate items carefully, know what their customers want and may have a niche market they serve. They have the option to reject items that are ragged, are of poor quality or are out of season. (Think beach towels in December or winter coats in July.)

If you’re looking for a full furniture set, name brands and a variety of décor items, consignment stores are often a first-choice option. The biggest names in this area are Carriage Trade near downtown and the Renaissance Room on the southwest side.

THRIFT SHOPS
These shops accept donations of many items and the stock for sale is dependent on what has come in from donors. This can result in a mix of low- and high-quality items that may or may not be in great shape. Some thrift stores have standards for donations and make an effort to offer clean, solid items. The Hospice Thrift Stores of Marion County, for example, are notably clean, with well-kept items that still have a lot of life left in them. In other stores, you may end up digging through some genuine junk to find that goodie you’ve been searching for.

Some thrift stores are part of a charity or nonprofit model and might be part of a national organization, like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army. Others have a more local focus. The Humane Society of Marion County Thrift Store, for example, helps local animals in need.
These stores often have clothing, media, electronics and much more than home furnishings. Some even offer a section of new items.

Thrift stores may be independently owned and operated, and this is where the owner’s tastes or preferences might come into play. These stores often have a fun mix of clothing, jewelry, home décor items, media and other goodies, and many are merchandised in a bright, eye-catching way. Flip N’ Fabulous Finds in Belleview is one of these, as is Cricket’s Closet in Ocala.

Alas, some of the cool shops we last visited in 2020 didn’t survive the pandemic, but there are several new shops to check out. We can’t list every shop in the county, but here are a few we recently visited and found worth noting. Happy hunting!