Second-hand sales boom

A weak economy typically means slow times for retailers, but there are a few businesses that stay afloat — if not prosper — during tough times: thrift stores.

The Commerce Department announced Wednesday retail sales decreased 1.2 percent in September, nearly twice the predicted 0.7 percent decrease and the biggest drop in three years.

But Pam Lohr, manager of Full Circle Thrift in downtown Culpeper said the store has seen a 22-percent increase in sales from this time last year.

“We have been very fortunate,” Lohr said. “I was more concerned not about how many shoppers I would have, but what our donations would be like. But it keeps rolling in constantly. It seems like we’re busier now.”

Thrift stores like Full Circle, Goodwill and Culpeper Regional Hospital’s Auxiliary offer secondhand donated clothes and furniture at minimal prices — a frugal way to shop without emptying the wallet. Local managers said these stores are seeing more new faces and an increase in all types of customers.

Dottie McConchie, manager of CRH’s Auxiliary, did not have exact percentages for the store’s business, but said sales have increased since the “so-called economy crunch.”

On the other hand, she added that donations have dropped.

“We’ve always had a vast variety of people, from the very, very poor to the quite wealthy, who are very thrifty,” McConchie said. “But it’s just some new faces who have never done the thrift shopping before and are figuring out this is a good way to save money.”

The two floors of Full Circle were packed with shoppers Wednesday, including mother Colette White and her daughter, Ashley, who frequent thrift stores in the area for a good bargain.

“I thrift shop all the time,” White said as she perused the clothing racks. “These days, why not? I have three children, plus I just like to recycle.”

Some others were not so eager to alert the media to their frugal spending habits.

One woman, who did not wish to be identified, said she has begun shopping at Full Circle regularly.

“It was very hard for me to start shopping here,” she said, “but I buy something for my grandkids every week and I couldn’t afford it otherwise. And sometimes I’ll wear something new to church and get compliments, but I would never say where I got it.”

For those looking to make a few bucks from the clothes in their closets, Persimmon Consignment Boutique sells secondhand women’s clothing and accessories, splitting the profits equally with clients.

Owner Markey Willis said with the slumping economy, more people are turning out to sell their old clothes.

Willis said her recent profits could also be attributed to finally being well established.

Persimmon, which carries name brands including J. Crew, Coach and Kate Spade, has been open 2 1/2 years.

“You could attribute it to that, or because of the economy,” she said. “People are getting to know that you can consign some of your goods and make a few dollars. And people are figuring out this is a great way to shop.”

Willis’ merchandise stays on the floor for 60 days, after which the owner can reclaim anything not sold or Willis donates the items to Full Circle.

“I think a lot of times people have sort of the sense that just poor people buy at thrift stores,” Lohr said, “and it’s so far from being the truth. The person that walks in with a million dollar estate is just as quick to say, ‘would you take 75 cents for this instead of a dollar?’”

Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 or .

Local thrift, consignment stores
CRH Auxiliary Thrift Shop
513 Meadowbrook Shopping Center, 825-7523

Goodwill Industries
504 Culpeper Town Mall, 829-8069
Full Circle Thrift
210 E. Stevens St., 727-8717

Persimmon Consignment Boutique
213 Southgate Shopping Center, 825-5533