In Wilmington and surrounding areas we counted 30 nonprofit-affiliated thrift stores, several of which have popped on the scene in recent years.
A study done by First Research found the re-sale/consignment/thrift store industry in the United States generates annual revenues of, wait for it … $17 billion!
The National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS) reports Goodwill alone nets more than $1 billion a year. It’s why so many nonprofits are opening up thrift stores across the country to support their organizations.
In Wilmington and surrounding areas we counted 30 nonprofit-affiliated thrift stores, several of which have popped on the scene in recent years, like the Assistance League of Greater Wilmington (ALGW) Thrift Shop on Eastwood Road that opened in 2014.
“It was the best decision we’ve made, it’s been booming and our philanthropic programs we support are thriving because we’re doing so well,” said Assistance League volunteer Joanne Cavan.
The thrift shop covers costs for all programs and its run completely by member volunteers. The shop replaces numerous labor intensive fundraisers that volunteers were producing year after year. Cavan says volunteers prefer working at the shop.
“It really is a pretty shop. Customers call it a gift shop, they don’t consider it a thrift shop,” said Cavan.
