2020-05-01T19:21:20-04:00

When this is all over, there will be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (or two) for thrifters.

May 1, 2020/ToniOnThrifting.com/1 Comment

I hope that this finds everyone safe and well during this unprecedented time in our lives.

I think there is a pot of gold (or two or three or more) waiting for us thrifters when the thrift shops start opening up again. But caution and patience will be the key.

Everyone has been home for weeks now and most of us have been cleaning out our drawers, closets, attics, storage and more. The trunk of my car has at least eight shopping bags waiting to be dropped off plus lots of home decor. I think the abundance of donations is going to be amazing and there will some outstanding scores for all of us thrifters. But you must exercise caution and patience when you do start thrift shopping again.

Depending on your level of comfort will decide when you start visiting thrift shops after they reopen your area to businesses. I personally will wait a couple of weeks before I start shopping. But I will arm myself with large plastic bags to put the clothes in before they go in my car. It would also be a good idea to spray with disinfectant before you put the items in your car (depending on the fabrics of course). You must also make sure that everything is washed as soon as possible. Better to be safe than sorry.

Let’s be positive, there will be deals to be had so make sure you have your comfortable thrift shopping clothes on! It will be the best thrifting that we have seen in years. Depending on the amounts of donations, this windfall could last a few months.

I think that thrifting is going to surge as the economy may be rough for a while. People have lost their jobs and have to clothes themselves, their partners and children. I believe that people will be more open to thrifting than in the past. And we all know, once you step in the thrift shop, it can be love at first sight —- and you just keep going back. The thrill of the exceptional find.

People are also more earth conscious as well and I hope that that makes a difference. As it stands, 84 percent of all unwanted clothes end up in landfills, according to Newsweek.

Pricing may be different when the stores open depending on the thrift store or charity and the amount of donations they have in stock.

I am finding that some thrift stores use comparable pricing to EBay while other shops price to empty the shelves/racks. Either way; you are helping some GREAT charities and small business owners not to mention helping the planet by not having clothes end up in landfills. It is a win-win.

I wish you happy and exciting thrift shop adventures when the stores reopen. Stay well and healthy and make sure you practice social distancing.

Look for the rainbows and the pots of gold, I promise, they will be there waiting for you.

Toni from TonionThrifting

P.S. Thanks Alice for the great pictures of the double rainbow! xoxo

St. John’s Thrift Shop – How sweet it is!

February 24, 2016August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

I wish thrift shops like this were open more hours, they are just too good and should be visited by so many more thrifters. This shop is only open on Mondays and Saturdays from 10am until 2pm. This shop is bright and cheery as are all the volunteers. They have everything in men and women’s clothing, shoes, housewares, home decor, small furniture and so much more! Just follow the signs on Sunnyside Lane and enter the world of St. John’s….

The prices are fantastic, the selections bountiful and if they are putting out the latest donations, even better!!! I have to say when I was there every single person shopping walked out with a bag and I thought that was very telltale of the merchandise.

So if you are in the Westchester area, the Pleasantville area in particular, this is a must stop thrift shop. Especially for housewares.

The clothes are above average and reasonably priced but I could see they have a very short rack life! I saw top notch brand like Anne Klein, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren and so much more.

St. John’s Thrift Shop

8 Sunnyside Lane

Pleasantville, NY

Monday and Saturday from 10 am until 2pm

http://www.stjohnspleasantville.org/THRIFTSHOP.html

and check out their FACEBOOK Page!!

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Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

Cure Thrift Sop – Love at first sight….

February 3, 2016August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

I walked into the Cure Thrift Shop and it was love at first sight – the 50% off sale just made it so much easier. This a great thrift shop and it benefits Juvenile Diabetes Research and Advocacy. The layout is magnificent and so fun to walk around, the staff outstanding and the selections bountiful. The displays are very well done and indicative of the top quality merchandise that this shop carries. The prices are good normally and with the 50% sale, the prices are spectacular.

The selection of both men and women’s clothes is outstanding. Everything trendy to classic pieces as well. The accessories section is generous and the jewelry wonderful.

They had brand new handbags, tote bags and accessories along with many other accessories including belts, scarfs, etc.

This is just one of those thrift shops that you just have to go to and I would be surprised if you did not find anything. The decor/home section has a wide variety of top quality items.

It is a great experience just to browse through this shop!! I highly recommend this shop, it is quite the experience. Kudos to the staff!

This is one thrift shop you should not miss!! Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

CURE THRIFT SHOP

111 EAST 12TH STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10003

212-505-7467

OPEN DAILY FROM

12PM-9PM

Cauz For Pawz Has A Great New Location

September 23, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/2 Comments

On my way to the dentist, I just had to check out Cauz For Pawz and their new location on First Avenue between 19th and 20th Street. All I can say is impressive! To sum it up, it is as if they took their best merchandise and moved it to their new location. It also has a very fun feeling with the décor outside the store (see pictures) and it is bright and cheery inside the store. I hope that anyone that used to go to the old location checks out the new location — AND if you have not have shopped there — you should check it out — it would be a shame if you didn’t.

Did I mention that the staff was excited about the new digs and happily working on stocking the store. 🙂

The new shop is much smaller but I can assure you it is jam picked with the finest merchandise. I was very excited with the quality of the selections and they were still working on stocking the store while I was there. The women’s selections were outstanding in the blouse, skirt and dress department. The men’s selections looked good as well. The display case in the front was being diligently worked on with some wonderful pieces of costume jewelry and I thought that they had quite a few significant pieces and they had just started filling up the displays so I am sure I missed out on seeing some great pieces.

So Cauz For Pauz is still in the area and a very short walk from all the other thrift stores on 23rd Street so I suggest that you do not miss the new location, you will be more than pleasantly surprised and I will bet you find something — I bought a beautiful polka dot dress for $15. 🙂 🙂

Cauz For Pawz
333 First Avenue (bet 19 & 20 St)
New York, New York 10003
(212) 684-7299
cauzforpawz@outlook.com
Store Hours: Mon-Sat 10am – 8pm
Sun 11am – 7pm

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!

Humane Society Of New Rochelle – NOW CLOSED :(

July 28, 2015April 23, 2022/ToniOnThrifting.com/1 Comment

There are a lot people who hold the New Rochelle Humane Society Thrift Shop near and dear to their heart. I completely understand and you can tell from the exorbitant amount of donations they receive. The fact is that the New Rochelle Humane Society services over 19 communities in Westchester County and rescues over 500 dogs and 900 cats a year. They provide loving care to animals that have been lost, abandoned, injured, and mistreated. What a phenomenal organization and what uplifting work — I have nothing but respect for this organization.

Upon first glance, this shop looks stuffed to the gills and then after looking around you realize that it is and just overflowing with bargain after bargain 🙂 (loving making things so positive). And this store does everything in its power to keep those shelves and racks bursting with goodies. (They do excel at this) 🙂

This shop can definitely double or even triple its space easily just to hold the donations they have on hand alone. The quality of clothing donations is mostly good but with patience, there are some great high quality pieces. You will find lots of jeans, tee shirts, shoes and casual wear with an extensive houseware section that you would normally see in a much larger store. They carry men, women and children’s clothing so there is a lot to go through Where the real treasures are when you first walk into the store to the right side sits some fabulous home décor, pictures and almost new or brand new items.

I have seen some stunning artwork, exquisite candle holders and so many other wonderful decor just waiting for a new home 🙂 .

The shop has been under new management for some time and Donna really puts her heart and soul into the shop and she is more than fair in her pricing.

Patience is the key in this shop!!!!!

Humane Society of New Rochelle Thrift Shop
54 Centre Street
New Rochelle, NY
11am – 3:30pm – Tuesday thru Friday
10am – 4pm – Saturday
(914) 336-1207
I SUGGEST YOU CALL FIRST TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OPEN!!

There is municipal parking on Huguenot Street and Centre Street but don’t forget – you have to feed the meters.

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!!

A Trip To Long Beach Island That Amazes

July 14, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

A wonderful friend invited me out to Long Beach Island in New Jersey a couple of weeks ago and it was a spectacular weekend all around – the company was outstanding, the weather cooperated and the food was absolutely delish! And while there, lo and behold 🙂 to my surprise, I found a thrift/consignment shop 🙂 called Coastal Consignment & Salvage Co. Do not let the name fool you – this shop was so good that I am contemplating another trip there 🙂 even if it is just for a day. Their business card states “An LBI Experience” – and it truly was — the layout of the store, the quality of the merchandise, the pricing, the variety, all well above average. I think the reason for this is that they have very strict guidelines for donating/consigning and it shows in the exceptionally high quality merchandise.

They only carry ladies’ clothing and it was all stylish and very much in fashion, the layout of the store was one of the best I have ever seen and the pricing ridiculously reasonable. They had beach themed home decor for sale along with beautiful vases, crystal, porcelain, you name it and all good pieces and high quality. The clothes were very chic and in a wide variety of sizes as were the shoes. All name brands, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Jones New York, Gap, Eileen Fisher too many to mention.There is a good variety of handbags from inexpensive to moderate. The shoe section is on the small side but what they have is AWESOME. They had a nice rack of jeans all sensibly priced. Great accessories as well! They also sell estate jewelry.

I picked up two pairs Vera Wang pajamas in what looked like new condition for $12 each, a gorgeous black lace overlay skirt for $15 and a great Ralph Lauren stretch tee shirt (black of course 🙂 )for $10.

I hope that the pictures do this shop justice because it has definitely made may top ten and I don’t ever see it falling off the list.

So I must tell you if traveling to Long Beach Island in New Jersey, you must stop at Coastal Consignment! It was a GREAT shopping experience. 🙂

Coastal Consignment & Salvage Co.
511 North Bay Avenue
Beach Haven, New Jersey 08008
609.492.9400
www.coastalconsignments-salvage.com
Mon, Tues, Wed and Sunday – 10am-5pm
Thurs, Fri and Sat – 10am-7pm

A note about summer months – for the smaller thrift shops, always call first as most of the those shops close or have shortened hours during July and August (especially those affiliated with churches/houses of worship).

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!

Using Facebook For Buying And Selling

July 8, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

Did you know that you can buy and sell your “stuff” on Facebook? Facebook has dedicated groups if you are looking to buy, sell or are “in search of” (ISO). Most groups are geographically based such as Yorktown Mom’s, Bronx Yard Sale, Westchester and Putnam, etc. The groups can contain dozens, hundreds or even thousands of members. Some groups are public which means that anyone on Facebook can join and see who is in the group, the group description and what members post. You can also be invited to join by a member of the group. A closed group is where anyone can ask to join or be added or invited by a member and the only difference from above is that only members from the group can see postings from the group. There are also “secret” groups. Anyone can join a secret group but they have to be added or invited by a member and only current and former members can see who is in the group and what members are posting.

There is an admin(s) who runs the page and approves if you can join the group. Only an admin can change the privacy settings for the group.

How do I join a group? Go to the group you want to be part of and then click Join Group in the top-right corner. Or if you see a group on a friend’s page, you can click on the group.

The great thing about Facebook groups is that for the most part, prices are negotiable. I must warn you that one of the drawbacks is that, occasionally someone is trying to get over or not being honest about their merchandise. That is where the admins come in, the great ones do not tolerate any nonsense or bs and they call out people for their “games”. Most pages also have a set of rules that they expect you to adhere to if you are joining their group. Admins are not paid so they have less tolerance for drama and I don’t blame them. Most admins will post general “rules” for joining their group. One in most groups is that you are contacted in the order that the buyer received the post or message. Things along those lines — one thing that does disturb me is that sometimes people post rather nasty comments when a sale or purchase does not go the way they intended or if they disagree with a price – folks – no need to be rude or nasty – just keep it moving – life is too short. Will what is upsetting you matter in a month or two, I doubt it.

Some of the Facebook groups local to the Bronx area that I belong to are:

Westchester Tag sales
Bronx Yard Sale
Stamford’s Treasures & Tag Sale
Westchester Yard Sale
Bedford Yard Sales
Northern Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess Yard Sale

Above are some of the items that I have posted on Facebook for sale. I have sold many items on Facebook with no issues whatsoever!

One of the issues I have noticed is regarding designer handbags. I have seen a knockoffs attempted to be sold as authentic. Also, please remember it is illegal to sell knockoffs on the internet so buyers and sellers beware. Authenticity can be confirmed with a receipt in most instances. One major helpful tip I can give you is beware of anyone who has just created a personal Facebook page to sell merchandise – that is one major RED FLAG and one that should be taken seriously.

PLEASE NOTE:

There is also a group that helps people in need in the Bronx & Westchester that you could join ☺:

Helping Friends In Need Bronx/Westchester — it is always great to help those in need.

I have many more options to tell you about buying and selling in the coming weeks!!

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!

A “Unique Boutique” On The Upper East Side

June 30, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

Thrifting refers to the act of shopping at a thrift store, flea market, garage sale, or a shop of a charitable organization, usually with the intent of finding interesting items at a low price. A larger philosophy permeates the act of thrifting which celebrates the recycling of formerly-owned items, finding new use and new love for vintage material goods which had been thrown out, and the thrill of imagining what the former life of the item was like. A zine called “Thrift Score”, published in the 1990s by Ms. Al Hoff, celebrated this lifestyle. Many “resale” shops pull their more interesting items from thrift stores and sell them at higher prices – the premium is because the “digging for gold” has already been done.

This is from Definitions.net – I just thought you would enjoy! 🙂

I always find thrifting much more fun when I am not on the hunt for a particular item. It is because I am going through most racks and I stumble upon pieces that I may have otherwise missed if on a specific hunt. I have also noticed that my wardrobe is becoming much more eclectic and fun because I am mixing traditional with funky or vintage when appropriate. I have received compliments on some of my outfits so it must be working :).

There is a “Unique Boutique” on the Upper East Side that is pleasantly nice. There is a good selection of men and women’s clothes, a decent book selection and the inventory seems to constantly change. They have some housewares and the good news is that they do use the color coded tag system so there are always sales. 🙂

I enjoy this small shop because it is reasonably priced and if you are lucky enough to find items that you like and they are on sale, all the better. They have a great tee shirt section and if you are job hunting and need a suit, the suits are sensibly priced. The shoe selection is not bad and quite often, there are some new shoes on the rack for sale. (I think what happens with shoes is that us lovely ladies buy shoes and then have buyers regret or they are too tight, heel not right, etc. and it is not in the window of returning so we donate 🙂 which works out well for thrifters. 🙂

Unique Boutique
1674 Third Ave
New York, NY 10028
(between 93rd & 94th)
212-427-0077
Mon-Fri: 11 AM- 7 PM
Sat: 10 AM-6 PM
Sun: 11 AM-5 PM

There are two Housing Works that are in the area that are worth a visit;

Housing Works
202 East 77^th Street
New York, NY 10021
212-772-8461
Mon-Fri: 11 AM- 7 PM
Sat: 10 AM-6 PM
Sun: 11 AM-5 PM
Closing at 5 pm on July 4th.

Housing Works (Yorkville)
1730 2nd Ave. (at 90th Street)
New York, NY 10128
212-722-8306
Mon-Fri: 11 AM- 7 PM,
Sat: 10 AM-6 PM
Sun: 11AM – 5 PM
Closing at 5 pm on July 4th.

I must say that I favor the 90^th Street location as they always seem to have a great inventory (both men’s and women’s) and the prices are reasonable. They seem to jam pack some great finds in this smaller space. I think that this is most definitely worth a visit. The 77^th Street is also worth a visit.

I tried to capture the 77th Street windows above – Housing Works does a great job on their windows.

Have a safe and wonderful July 4th holiday and until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!

ToniOnThrifting