THRIFTS: The very best are right here

Coeur d’Alene charity thrift stores: a perspective. I have been to thrift stores from Paris to Washington, D.C. Ours are the best. Only Orlando and Seattle have decent stores.

Humane Society: on Third, next to Safeway. Smallest, staffed by volunteers, if you don’t buy donate.

Go to Fourth, and head north, to the Idaho Youth Ranch. Across the street is the Women’s Center Store.

Further north is Goodwill, the crown jewel of our thrift stores. Beautiful, with terrific management. Still going north is Hospice.

Cut west to Government Way, and head south until you see an ugly building painted a bilious blue. This store is an adventure. Sales on already discounted items, 75 percent off on clothes on Monday, 50 percent off the whole store on Wednesday. The staff are not just friendly, they are your friends. Minnie and Earle are St. Vinnies. I couldn’t find spinner hub caps online, but I found them there and got them for half off. They provide a women’s shelter, men’s shelter, clothes for the indigent, job training, medical equipment, the list just goes on and on. They do what’s necessary to make Coeur d’Alene a village.

TERRANCE WOLFERMAN

Coeur d’Alene