I mean, who can turn down a good thrift store?
Well, me, actually, once upon a time.
Pre-kid, I rarely bought anything secondhand, aside from books, but I gradually gained friends who lured me into the hunt. Soon I found myself haunting secondhand shops for clothes, art, and furniture just for the game of it.
Fast forward to parenting days and half of the books in my kids' libraries now have come from secondhand sources at a fraction of Amazon, and with the information on the global impact of fast fashion, I've been happy to shop for pre-worn goods for dimes on the dollar of what new would cost.
This month, when shopping small and local is especially meaningful, consider a visit to local nonprofit thrift shops that offer welcoming storefronts with proceeds benefitting outreach work in the community. Not only are these shops budget savers, they're also a great way to connect with organizations and individuals doing good in the city. And I can't think of many things more in the spirit of the season than that.
Check out these four spots to thrift for good in the city.
1. All Things Possible Bargain Center, 1645 Middle TN Blvd. all-things-possible-bargain.business.site
Created to benefit YAB-- "Youth About Business"--a nonprofit that helps young children and youths learn about real-world business, All Things Possible is a thrifter's paradise of goods with a wide selection of clothing, furniture, and toys. Follow their social media pages for extra sale days and flash specials.
2. The Garden Patch Thrift Shoppe, 309 S. Spring St. greenhousemin.org
Designed to have an upscale feel with high-end items well displayed and easy to peruse, the Garden Patch Thrift Shoppe benefits Greenhouse Ministries' multi-faceted outreach programs including life skills training, food pantry, counseling and more. Find clothes for the whole family attractively laid out, with inviting stretches of beautiful homegoods, dishes, and art throughout. Maybe one of the best aspects of a visit are the relational volunteers who work the floor and are as excited as you are when you find that perfect thing. Take advantage of their text plan for sale days and special events.
3. Outreach Thrift Store, 1715 S. Rutherford Blvd. outreachmurfreesboro.org
A longtime favorite in the community, Outreach Thrift was created 20 years ago to provide emergency clothing to those in need and continues to work with more than 40 local agencies to provide basic clothing and household items for whoever needs it. The shop features mainly clothing for the family, small home accessories, toys and books. This month find an extra reason to go when Santa arrives on December 22!
4. Steered Straight Thrift Store and Steered Straight TOO! Furniture and Thrift, 845 Middle TN Blvd. Suite C; 903 A Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. steerstraighthriftstore.org
Self-proclaimed as "Murfreesboro's best-kept secret", the little thrift shop on Middle Tennessee Boulevard (you'll see the "Ooh, look! A thrift store!" signs waving from the side of the road) is a warehouse of treasures, notably jewelry and clothing, with aisles of home goods and even a dedicated toy room (one of my kids' favorite places). It's an impressive operation with the mission to support Steered Straight's drug use and suicide prevention programs for youth and young adults. They're also pushing back against clothing waste with their Recycle4Purpose program which provides assistance with large clothing and property clean outs.
Laura Beth Payne is a writer and homeschool mama who lives in the Blackman community with her husband and two bouncy kiddos. Follow her at @murfreesboromama on Facebook and Instagram. Not on social media? Never miss a Murfreesboro Mama by signing up for the Murfreesboro Voice email on the "Newsletter" link.
