Shopping at thrift stores is a cheap, enjoyable and sustainable alternative to buying clothes from the mall or other retail stores. The perfect example of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, thrift stores offer much more than just apparel.
Many stores also carry furniture, books, CDs, electronics, art and various other merchandise. While current styles can be found occasionally, thrift stores are noteworthy because they have unique and vintage items that may be discontinued or not sold anywhere else at great prices that really can’t be beat.
Finding a good local thrift store is crucial to any college student on a budget looking for some good finds for their apartment or wardrobe. Besides the run-of-the-mill Goodwill and Salvation Army, here are a few thrift store gems in Baton Rouge.
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
This sizable thrift store off of Burbank is definitely the most unique of this list. Here Today Gone Tomorrow is a standalone store divided into a regular thrift section and a Retro Room, which sells vintage books, home décor and decorations including posters and various collectables. The items displayed here are interesting to browse through, let alone purchase.
The store offers a “great selection for clothes and the Retro Room is really worth the visit,” said kinesiology sophomore Amber Khan. “The staff members are really friendly and helpful, and even though the place is a little unorganized, it kind of adds to the charm. Also, they play loud ‘80s music so you can enjoy your shopping [that much] more.”
Besides having low prices, Here Today Gone Tomorrow also offers a different discount each day of the week, like 50% off student discounts on Wednesdays and 50% off all designer clothing on Fridays. Additionally, donations and purchases support over 30 local charities.
Connections for Life
Connections for Life, located off of Highland, offers high quality clothing, as well as a nice selection of housewares, accessories, books and shoes.
This is a program that helps “indigent women who are leaving prison, to help them transition back into civilian life,” said psychology sophomore and store volunteer Gabby Toups. “The program focuses on sobriety, re-establishing familial relationships and ensuring the success of these women. The proceeds of the store help to fund this program.”
Shopping here is sure to leave you with good purchases as well as the good feeling you’ll receive knowing you’re helping Baton Rouge women and children get their lives back on track.
The Purple Cow
The Purple Cow is one of the best known thrift stores near campus.
This self-described “thrifty boutique” has two locations, one on Perkins and another on Jones Creek, and is a very pleasant environment to go thrifting with friends in.
“Considering how abysmal Baton Rouge’s thrifting is, I have to say that the Purple Cow has some of the better secondhand clothing in the area,” mass communication sophomore Jack Stallard said.
Purchases support the Christian Outreach Center of Baton Rouge, which provides jobs, life skills, food and shelter to the homeless.
Stallard describes the clothing assortment as “not the best for men, but pretty good for women.” The Purple Cow offers boutique brands, along with quality, gently used merchandise at 80% or more off of original retail prices.
The store also has a good selection of furniture, housewares and some quality books and vinyl records.
