» RETAIL | BEST THRIFT STORE
MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Goodwill Store & Donation Center was voted the best thrift store in the Orange County Register’s Best of Orange County readers’ choice poll.
1. Goodwill of Orange County
2. Savers
Multiple locations; ocgoodwill.org There has never been a better time to shop at Goodwill: that’s the opinion of Corinne Allen, chief operating officer of the OC Goodwill. “The beauty is while everyone was cleaning their closets (during the pandemic) our donations are at an all time high,” she said. “Since we reopened, it was the floodgates.” There is a double bonus at the thrift stores during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As many families are still struggling financially and prices are spiking, shoppers are finding not only good selection, but the low prices Goodwill is known for. “It’s been a challenging year, but customers are really excited,” Allen said. With 25 retail stores in Orange County and 1 million donations annually, Goodwill often has great items in stock. But Allen said good deals and ample selection are only a part of the Goodwill mission. “We’re much more than that. Everyone knows about the thrift stores when they hear Goodwill,” she said, “but what we’re most proud of, our mission, is putting people to work. Especially those that face obstacles.” And then there is the whole sustainability factor. According to Allen, donations to Goodwill either for reuse or repurposing divert 12 million pounds from landfills each year.
– Greg Mellen
Fountain Valley, Yorba Linda; savers.com
3. Salvation Army Family Stores
Savers opened in San Francisco in a former movie theater and it has been “repurposing” ever since. Buying stock from more than 100 nonprofits for its more than 300 stores and accepting donations, the company brands itself as a “global reuse leader” specializing in gently used clothing, accessories and household goods. According to the company’s 2020 annual report, 33% of its customers describe themselves as “financially squeezed,” and 60% are spending less. And that’s where Savers fills the gap. The company also claims to reuse about 95 percent of its donations and saves landfills from 700 million pounds of refuse globally through the recycling of more than 375 million items of clothing, as well as shoes, accessories and kitchen ware. In its attempts to make thrift hip, Savers provides shopping tips on its website for those looking to create clothing ensembles and find their unique looks. It is also a sponsor of Eco Fashion Week in Canada.
The Salvation Army instantly conjures the image of holiday bell ringers. But that is just a small part of the Christian ministry that provides aid and assistance to more than 23 million Americans annually and is found in more than 130 countries. With 10 stores and donation centers in Orange County, the Salvation Army is well equipped to provide needed clothing and household items to local families, as the organization has done since its founding in 1865. The charity’s mission according to its literature is “to holistically aid low-income families and individuals by meeting basic needs, providing financial, emotional and spiritual support and case management services.” However, regardless of need, all are encouraged to shop the organization’s stores for bargains and rare items. Proceeds benefit the Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers, to help people overcome drugs and alcohol with sobriety, job training and other services. The Salvation Army also serves communities in homeless outreach and shelter programs, anti-trafficking services and disaster relief.
Multiple locations; orangecounty.salvationarmy.org
52 THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY SEPTEMBER 2021
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9/3/21 5:00 PM
