Thrifting and Thriving in North Idaho
In a post-pandemic world many people are looking to “thrifting” to save a dollar in an unpredictable time. Whether knowingly or otherwise, those who shop at secondhand stores participate in a sustainable solution for their community and the environment. Statistics show that about one in five Americans will shop at a thrift store at least once a year. Despite other businesses having to close their doors, especially since the pandemic, resale has maintained its popularity and is continuing to grow faster than other retail segments with a 7% growth rate since 2019. In the U.S. there are over 25,000 consignment or ‘Not For Profit’ resellers contributing to a multi-billion dollar industry with revenues of nearly 20 billion. One of the most mainstream secondhand companies, Goodwill, has over 3,000 stores nationwide, netting around $6 billion in retail sales annually. So how do local stores compete? Surveys show that consumers are most likely to go with what they know and what is convenient before they will try something new—unless a customer has an exceptional experience.
North Idaho has plenty of options when it comes to vintage shopping. The Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls areas are home to more than 20 secondhand stores. From Goodwill to Idaho Youth Ranch, there are many different choices for those looking to find something unique while enjoying a singular experience. Every store has its own personal brand, so it really is up to the customer to decide which businesses are worth their time. Of course, shoppers have their own opinions outside typical marketing metrics.
How can smaller owned companies compete with corporate thrift giants like Goodwill and Value Village? According to North Idaho consumers, there seems to be several qualifications to a good thrifting experience and the top three are: price, cleanliness and organization, and customer service. Of course, pricing is going to be one of the most competitive factors for the industry, and cleanliness and a sense of methodical organization go a long way with consumers as well. However, the most basic foundation of any business is customer service. Excellent customer service will make customers for life, whereas bad customer service can ruin a business. Who’s Your Gladys author and Work Life Success Coach, Marilyn Suttle says, “even your most loyal customers always have a choice about where to take their business…If you take the approach of earning your customers’ business every day and treating them well, they’re less likely to try someone else. Your customers are responsible for your company’s reason for existing.”
Customers who were loyal to privately-owned, smaller thrift stores seemed to be the most passionate about their experiences. A shopper at City Thrift on Appleway Ave. in Coeur d’Alene said he likes the way the store aisles are set up and how everything is arranged by function and by color.
This attention to detail is the result of a team lead by store manager, Robin, who takes great pride in the layout design. “I love working here,” Robin smiles, “it’s a small family of employees and I enjoy working one-on-one with Dale and Shawnda. We get a lot of regulars and have relationships with our clientele. I make new friends here every day.”
City Thrift is currently the largest thrift store in North Idaho, with over 12,000 square feet. Local couple Dale and Shawnda Rainey have partnered with Wishing Star, a charity with a mission similar to the Make A Wish Foundation. “Wishing Star is a local organization that fosters hope, community and lasting memories by granting wishes for children with terminal, life-threatening or medically complicated conditions and supporting their families beyond the wish,” Dale explains. He says they are proud of their commitment to the community as well as their employees and customers.
“City Thrift is a relaxed work environment with competitive pay and paid time off for employees, and our customers note how great the employees are,” Shawnda shares. The store also has the highest rating on Google in the area currently.
Not all companies are thriving at this time, as store manager Robin elaborates, “Wishing Star and other charitable organizations have been struggling through COVID because a significant portion of their funding comes from auctions, fundraisers and other live events.”
Other stores like Idaho Youth Ranch are committed to lifting up the local community through charitable work. With three locations, one in Coeur d’Alene and two in Post Falls including an outlet store, Idaho Youth Ranch’s thrift stores are an extension of their adoption and therapeutic services. Jeff Myers, the vice president of marketing and communications, says that folks can be confident that one hundred percent of their money goes to providing mental health and behavioral therapy to children and families in North Idaho.
“This is what sets us apart from other organizations,” Myers iterates. “People might not know that we have an adoptions agency. We do home studies, place kids and adoptions and work with birth moms as well. We are always there for them, it’s a lifetime commitment for us with therapy and counseling any time they need. This is not a transactional service. We want it to be successful.”
The thrift store services are run by Idaho Youth Ranch employees who receive competitive wages as well as full medical and dental benefits. “We want it to be a great experience, likened to going to a regular retail store where everything is clean and quality checked and it doesn’t feel like you’re shopping in a thrift store.”
The next time you’re feeling thrifty and looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, you have plenty to choose from in North Idaho. Every local store welcomes donations at this time, as well as volunteers. Shopping locally-owned secondhand stores in not only a great way to support the community and the charities with which many of these stores share proceeds, but also to cut back on waste and invest in a future that is sustainable for everyone.
