517 Thrift Shop - A Dream Come True

517 Thrift Shop

A Dream Come True

By Elyse Apel

For Andrea Dixon, owning a thrift store has been her lifelong dream.

That dream started to become reality when her father purchased the old American Copper and Brass building in Hillsdale two years ago and gave her the green light to create something of her own inside.

This fall, 517 Thrift Shop officially opened in that building near downtown Hillsdale.

“I’ve always wanted to have a thrift store or some kind of resale shop,” Andrea says. “With eight brothers and sisters, we always have huge yard sales every summer. So, I thought why not open a store?”

Andrea spent the last two years bringing the 517 Thrift Shop to life. She worked tirelessly—often with the help of family or a few close friends—cleaning, organizing, and building up inventory.

“My dad, who owns K.A. Hodge Construction, and my brothers built the walls and helped with the layout,” Andrea says.

After all that time, 517 Thrift Shop finally opened with a bang. Andrea says she has been overwhelmed by the support from the community.

“Everybody has been so lovely to us,” she says. “I’m just excited to help people and fulfill a need in the community.

Andrea explains how exciting it is to finally be open.

“The first day we opened, I was a hot mess. I cried because I was overwhelmed, but I was also really proud of myself, because I’ve worked a very long time,” she says. “I missed time with my kids, my family, and my friends . . . I had a lot of doubt because I was tired and it didn’t feel like the end was in sight. But here we are and I could cry right now thinking about it.”

What sets 517 Thrift Shop apart is its care, cleanliness, and purpose.

Every item of clothing is washed, puzzles and board games are counted and checked for completeness, electronics are tested, and batteries are provided. The store is laid out like a retail shop, with clothes sorted by size and organization the top priority.

There’s also a free shelf, which is filled with gently-used items that may not meet store standards but still have plenty of life left.

“I don’t throw anything away unless it’s really broken,” Andrea says. “People that can come in and take items off the free shelf, which includes everything from coats and shoes to clothes and dishes.”

Though not a nonprofit, Andrea’s mission with 517 Thrift Shop is to use it to give back to the community in many different ways. She already has plans to sponsor a local family for Christmas, to donate to breast cancer support, and to help local sports teams and animal shelters.

“Everything is solely out of my own pocket,” Andrea explains. “I didn’t want to go the nonprofit route because I want to decide where the money goes. If I hear about a family in need, I want to be able to step in directly.”

As part of serving the community, Andrea plans to keep her prices affordable.

“Clothes are a necessity, not a want. So, I want to keep everything, especially clothes, at a fair price,” she says.

Andrea says she plans to continue expanding the store. The expansion will eventually have larger household items and even home improvement supplies.

As the holiday season approaches, 517 Thrift Shop is planning a number of community specials. From November 1 - November 22, customers who bring in a canned good or nonperishable item will get 10% off their purchase as a Thanksgiving treat. On Tuesday, November 25, all clothing and shoes will be 50% in honor of Black Friday Week. Finally, finish off your holiday shopping from December 16 - 20 when all items store-wide with a red tag will be 50% off.

You can expect more deals and updates through the store’s Facebook page which can be found at 517 Thrift Shop. Located at 52 Willow St., Hillsdale, the store is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Donations are accepted Mondays from 12–4 p.m., or by appointment. You can also call (517) 320-4687 for more information..