Thrift stores offer unique, affordable merchandise
by Nicole Parker

Looking for a cheap way to decorate your dorm room or apartment, create a new outfit or just do a little of that dreaded holiday shopping?

Well, area thrift stores offer a variety of affordable merchandise. Many college students find that thrift stores meet their shopping needs.

“We see a lot of college students come into our stores,” said Kristi Simmons, an employee at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Virginia Beach. “Our variety of merchandise and affordability is what attracts most of them.”

Thrift stores have a variety of goods to choose from, including clothes, furniture, and crafts for decoration.

Brent Sailhamer, a sophomore, is impressed with the selection of items at thrift stores.

“Thrift stores are awesome places to shop,” he said, “because they have everything you can think of.”

“There’s something for everybody,” Simmons agreed.

A variety of used clothing can be found in most area thrift stores. With a little time and ingenuity, a new outfit can be created for under $10

.“Thrift stores offer inexpensive ways to dress individually,” said Briana Muggli, a junior, whose favorite store is Village Thrift on Indian River Road.

“Even so, it takes patience to find what you want, because you have to look through everything,” she adds.

In addition, most local thrift stores also carry an abundance of household furnishings.

“Thrift stores are great places to find things to furnish new apartments,” said Casey Ryan Logan, a junior. “The prices are reasonable for when you’re just starting out.”

Simmons said that thrift stores offer great merchandise for those doing low-budget holiday shopping.

“You’d be surprised at how many people do their holiday gift-shopping at thrift stores,” she said. “There’s a lot of great present ideas here.”

And since it is the season for giving, local thrift stores welcome donations of new or gently-used clothes, crafts, and furniture.

your handy guide to area thrift stores

Bargains Are Us, 583-6409; 543 E. Little Creek Rd., Norfolk.

Elephants Galore, 463-2823; 3900 Bonney Rd., Va. Beach.

Herb’s Thrift Stores, 497-0976; 676 N. Witchduck Rd., Va. Beach.

Maybee Pearl’s Thrift Shop, 437-0260; 402 Laskin Rd., Va. Beach.

Neat Things, 480-2406; 8434 Tidewater Dr., Norfolk.

Norview Thrift Shop, 858-1970; 6211 Sewells Point Rd., Norfolk.

Thriftiques, 424-3685; 1642 Sparrow Rd., Chesapeake.

Village Thrift Store, 420-7451; 4301 E. Indian River Rd., Chesapeake.

Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters; 7 locations; call 587-5437 for info.

Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads, Inc.; 7 locations; call 627-7733 for info.

Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, 625-7493, 1800 Monticello Ave., Norfolk.

Salvation Army of Hampton Roads; 2 locations; call 499-0032 for info.

Things Unlimited, 428-7841; 501 Va. Beach Blvd, Va. Beach.

Tidewater Thrift Stores, 473-1987; 5517 Va. Beach Blvd., Va. Beach.

Union Mission; 2 locations; call 366-1316 for info.