‘ Whether it’s to save money, find a vintage piece or to help a good cause, people enjoy shopping at thrift stores.
Industry revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8 % over the past five years and is expected to reach an estimated $14.1 billion in 2025, according to IBISWorld.
Aug. 17 is National Thrift Store Day and Aug. 17-24 is National Thrift Store Week.
The Augusta area has multiple thrift stores; some organizations such as Goodwill and Catholic Social Services are known for their thrift stores; while others such as Jessye Norman School of the Arts use thrift stores to augment their resources for their programs.
Located at 316 Eighth St., the Second Act Thrift Store opened a week before Hurricane Helene hit the area in 2024 and helps support programming for children attending the Jessye Norman School of the Arts.
“The Second Act Thrift store is a small space making a big impact. It’s a great way to donate to an organization that literally changes lives for hundreds of young people every single year. The bonus is that you can clean out your garage and your closet while supporting something you care about,” said Gary Dennis, Jessye Norman executive director.
The Second Act focuses on ”art supplies, music and generally groovy stuff,” according to Dennis.
At Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, donations translate directly into jobs. Not only do people work in the retail store, but Augusta’s Goodwill features the Helms College campus, where people can train for careers in the culinary industry and medical field. More than 4,000 CSRA residents each year receive education, career coaching and skills training at Goodwill in Augusta.
“In a typical year, our local Goodwill serves more than 10,000 people, and in the past five years, donors and shoppers have kept over 14 million pounds of reusable goods in circulation, reducing waste, strengthening the circular economy, and funding local career-building programs,” according to a news release from Goodwill.
To celebrate the week, Goodwill is launching a special one-week Thrift Week Passport Challenge from Sunday through Saturday where shoppers can visit multiple locations, collect stamps by making purchases and enter to win a $100 Goodwill gift card.
Goodwill is located at 674 Washington Rd, Thomson; 3362 Wrightsboro Rd., 3179 Washington Rd. and 1015 Pine Log Rd, Aiken.
Locals may only know Catholic Social Services for its Wrightsboro Road thrift store, but proceed support the organization’s mission of providing emergency assistance to poor, homeless, and at-risk families and individuals throughout the CSRA, according to its website.
“Catholic Social Services Thrift Store is one of Augusta’s most frequented local shops — offering everything from gently-used clothing to toys, furniture, jewelry, household goods, books, collectibles, and more — at affordable prices,” the website said.
And one area thrift store helps animals.
The SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare operates a boutique Thrift Store in the Mitchell Plaza in Aiken, offering everything from pet care items and clothing, to jewelry and furniture, according to its website. One hundred percent of the revenue goes to the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare to help feed, treat, shelter and and find loving homes for the animals at the SPCA.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and received the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
