Thrifty chic: Dig deep to find best buys

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Saturday, February 16, 2008

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Good shoppers scour the ads, clip coupons and plan their shopping attacks to find furniture, appliances and accessories to complete their home. But at Rapid City’s thrift stores, shoppers can find bargains on a French-style lighting fixture, wingback chair or dresser — and support a worthy cause at the same time.

Last week, Darlene Young Bull Bear bought a six-drawer bureau for $40 at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for her daughter. A shrewd shopper with a limited budget, Young Bull Bear isn’t one to impulsively buy what she can’t afford. But last week, she also threw in $25 to pick up a green wingback chair for her living room.

“I wanted to sit in a soft chair that isn’t too low to the floor when getting up,” the Kyle grandmother said while at the new store on St. Patrick Street.

Satisfied with her purchases, Young Bull Bear’s $65 will be funneled back into the Salvation Army’s financial assistance programs, including help with rent and utilities; emergency assistance in case of loss of home due to fires, flood or other disasters; summer youth programs; holiday food baskets for the needy and the Salvation Army Angel Tree, according to Ronda Kreber, administrative assistant.

 “We have a Night Watch Program that sends a canteen out that feeds the homeless on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” Kreber said.

Browsing through the expansive thrift store, Journal shoppers found a $2 ironing board, $50 stackable washer and dryer and a 13-inch TV at the bargain basement price of $5. They were not only great bargains, but the profits directly serve the community.

A new foyer light or bathroom lights could be all it takes to create ambience and brighten up a neglected space. At the Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, those fixtures, along with stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, building materials, kitchen cabinetry, windows, toilets and sinks, are typically priced 50 percent to 75 percent lower than retail, according to Cindy Marshall, ReStore manager.

“All our profits go to build houses for Habitat,” she said.

Scott Engmann, executive director, said eight homes are planned for construction by Black Hills Area Habitat in 2008. The group is completing its 52nd home now.

“Our goal is to raise enough money (from ReStore proceeds) to fund the cost of materials for one home per year,” Engmann said.

At The Thrift Store, benefiting the Club for Boys, a $35 trunk becomes a beautiful coffee table with the plus of extra storage. A $200 dining room set (table, six chairs) is the focal point for entertainment central. And who can go wrong with a $2 coffee maker? A funky floor lamp at $15, a series of aviator art at $4 each and a wall mirror for $10 all will help pull together a room. Spend an extra $4 to $12 for bedding, curtains and rugs, and it’s time to pack it into the car. These thrift store buys will help local programs for the club, such as the Club for Boys’ library, Homework Help, Meals Program, Midnight Madness, organized sports leagues and field trips and outings, said Carri Redmond, Thrift Store assistant manager.

“Around 1,200 members benefit from these programs year-round,” she said.

The Cornerstone Thrift Store houses hundreds of items, including furniture, household goods, electronics and beds. Each purchase serves as a major funding source for the Women & Children’s Home. It also provides training for women in the Work for Success program, according to Vicki Linn, Cornerstone Mission program director.

Journal shoppers dug through the store’s assorted pots and pans and found a premium bundt cake pan for $1. Extra silverware sold for 25 cents each, while glassware was marked at less than a dollar a glass.

“People everywhere are trying to stretch their dollars,” Linn said.

Not only do dollars stretch at the store, but every dime and nickel in profit goes toward providing a better life for a woman and her children.

“We get to help people twice with every dollar,” she said.

Any way you look at it, it’s a practical way to contribute to the community while furnishing a spare bedroom or a new apartment on the thrift.

Young Bull Bear agreed. Finding that perfect piece at a bargain-basement price can lift a shopper for days.

“It’s a good buy,” she said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.

If you go

The Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 401 11th St., 791-1880.

Salvation Army Thrift Store. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, 621 E. St. Patrick St., 342-8849.

The Thrift Store, benefiting the Club for Boys. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 319 N. Third St. The store will accept donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Call 341-8878.

Cornerstone Mission Thrift Store. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, 401 11th St., call 716-2768.