SPOKANE, Wash. – When it comes to Christmas gifts, it might be tempting to take your pick from the thousands of new items on the shelves of every store. But when budget’s are tight, there might be another option: thrift stores.
And while you might be saying, “I’ve been to thrift stores recently, its not that affordable!,” two Spokane thrift stores say they are working to keep prices low.
“You’ll find really unique items and they’re super affordable,” Marketing Manager at Global Neighborhood Thrift Savanna Rothe said.
Global Thrift, Rothe explained, has something for everyone.
“Really, anyone on your shopping list, you can find something that is down their alley for an affordable price,” Rothe said.
An added bonus, Global thrift customers can meet the resident guardian, a cat named smudge, who likes to hang out in the corner by the christmas decor.
“You’re buying a really high quality piece that has a lot to it,” Rothe said of Global Neighborhood’s Thrift and Vintage products.
And across Spokane, another Thrift store is carving out a niche, and trying to give out essentials, for as cheap as 25 cents an item.
Thrifty Mamas, owned and operated by Shonna Rice, went viral a few weeks ago, for their cheap prices and wide selection.
“I’m grateful for the exposure,” Rice said. “There are some months where I worry how I’m going to pay rent here, because I refuse to raise the prices.”
In fact, its only brand-new-with-tags items that make it to the top price tier, of $15.
“I make myself put a cap on it,” Rice said.
It’s a choice, Rice makes to support the community.
“Life is really hard right now for everybody,” Rice said. “And I don’t think that I have to contribute to the hardness. I should be trying to make things easier for the community because the community is such an important thing.”
And going into Thriftmas season, both Global Neighborhood and Thrifty Mamas are making an effort to make Christmas available and affordable.
At Global Neighborhood, their running a “Thrift Monday” sale (in place of Cyber Monday) where everything in the store will be 50% off.
“It will make things even more affordable for people who are shopping,” Rothe said.
And at Thrifty Mamas, a donation based store, any donation will net you a 35% off coupon.
“I always give you a coupon for 25% off of your entire next purchase,” Rice said. “And then right now for the holiday season, I’m doing an additional 10%.”
And during Thriftmas season, Rice explained showing people her VHS and DVD, Snowshoe and Men’s Jeans collection, can bring some Holiday joy.
“I love getting to bring a smile or some joy to people,” Rice said.
