By Ava West
Fast fashion is an increasingly concerning industry. Companies, such as Shein, Zara, UNIQLO and H&M follow clothing trends closely and then produce the trends quickly and cheaply. The products are not well made, environmentally harmful, expensive and seasonal (as they are sure to go out of fashion soon after being made).
This process is unsustainable and depletes natural resources, like water, and produces high amounts of greenhouse gasses. In order to save money, get durable clothes and reduce this environmental impact, many are turning toward thrifting and secondhand shopping. Although this is not a perfect solution, it is a step in the right direction.
For those that are looking to get into secondhand shopping and thrifting, Grand Rapids holds lots of options.
Anyone looking to start small, Super Thrift on Plainfield is a great option. A small boutique with lots of clothes, books, furniture, jewelry and more, it is a great start for those who are not used to thrift shopping, as the clothes and things sold are filtered (instead of just putting whatever is donated on the rack).
For a bigger store, New 2 You is a good option for beginners. New 2 You also offers a variety of things and filters the items they put out on the floor. For those that are nervous due to cleanliness, New 2 You is a clean and reliable choice.
Mel Trotter Thrift is a popular chain thrift store and has a couple locations within West Michigan. Although none of these locations can be found directly in Grand Rapids, they are still a good choice for people that don’t mind a longer drive. One of the best locations resides in Kentwood. Michigan. A large store with a sizable selection of clothes, books, children’s toys, furniture and more. It may take longer to rifle through everything, but that just means there’s more to see.
Perhaps the most popular options for secondhand clothing are Goodwill and Salvation Army. Both are widespread chains and have multiple locations in Grand Rapids and West Michigan. They are a good standby and also a good place to start.
Secondhand shopping is not just for clothes, though, it is also good for antiques. Grand Rapids is a good place for antiquing, too.
One of the most popular stops for antiquing in Grand Rapids is the Antique Mall downtown. The market consists of three stores Warehouse One Antiques & Collectibles, Century Antiques and Lost & Found Treasures of Old and New. Each store has its own distinct style and items. With such variety, everyone is sure to find something.
Another good place to find antiques is Wally’s Treasures. Wally’s Treasures is a part of a small franchise of antique stores in the greater West Michigan area. The stores consist of stalls that people can rent out to sell their antiques and other items. Each stall is different, and thus the store is able to provide for a wide audience.
This is just a small list of shops to get started with thrifting and antiquing in Grand Rapids, but there are many more. Thrifting offers a fun activity to do with friends or alone and helps to cut down individuals’ consumption. It is a good way to get out of the house, socialize and find cheap items. Thrift stores also offer a place where people can donate items that they no longer use during spring cleaning, or otherwise. In general, thrifting is a hobby on the rise and for good reason and cause.
