Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Showcase

Media Credit: Kim Acheson Thrift stores like My Best Friend's Closet, located at 3001 London Rd. in Eau Claire, can offer a varity of clothing from shirts and jeans to formal wear. Brittany Tait, co-owner of the store, said they buy their clothing from the people offering cash or double for store credit.

For many college students, school is all about saving money. One person might stop driving to save on gas while another digs pizza out of the dumpster behind Little Caesar's to cut financial corners. When it comes to store bought goods, Eau Claire has an outlet: thrift stores. When hunting for pennies in the sofa to pay for lunch seems immanent, perhaps it's time to quit the mall and begin anew somewhere less expensive.

There are many thrift stores in the area. Goodwill, Savers and the Salvation Army are just a few national chains that are here in Eau Claire. Places like Hope Gospel Mission, Penny's Heaven and Twice Upon A Time are more local business that offer the same services but are less known.Whatever the preference, consumers have options. For some it's not about the money.

"I try not to look at savings but more at where my money's going," junior Dane Haverly said.

One of his concerns was with whether the money was going to people here in the United States or if it was going somewhere overseas, perhaps China, he said.

Another option Haverly mentioned is garage sales. In late September, Eau Claire's third ward hosts neighborhood thrift sales available to anyone in the community. Even after they are over, many houses leave their unsold items on the sidewalk for garbage crews or poor college students.

Sophomore Lauren Ott enjoys shopping at an array of thrift stores in order to get the best deals.

"I would say Savers is number one," she said. "Goodwill and Hope Gospel are good, too."

For people concerned with community matters and environmental issues, Goodwill, 3605 Gateway Dr., may be a new perfect place to shop.

Goodwill's Chief operating officer Karen Laws had a few surprising facts about the business.

Continued...

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