Before the debut of Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop,” wearing your granddad’s clothes might have seemed like something you would only do on Halloween rather than on a day-to-day basis. But wearing clothes older than you are has become trendy and hipper than ever be fore. So I set off on a journey to explore and review three shops Raleigh has to offer thrifty students.
As a native of Winston-Salem, I thought it was only fitting to start off at Lucky Strike Vintage Boutique, a store that began in my hometown and has since opened a location right next to campus on Hillsborough Street. Sometimes the process can be overwhelming, but unlike other thrift stores I’ve visited in the past, Lucky Strike was astonishingly clutter-free, clean and organized.
The store prides itself not only on selling throwback vintage delights, but it also strives to keep up with current trends. The store of fers an extensive collection of cowboy boots for all the southern belles and beaus in town and also an array of vintage designer pieces.
Possibly the best part about this store is the affordable pricing compared to other vintage stores, with some things starting at just a dol lar. All clothing and coats are 50 percent off and everything else in the store is 20 percent off until the end of the month. Count me in.
I left with two scarves that totaled fewer than $3 for both and was quite pleased. Lucky Strike is just a short walk from campus and has the quirkiest array of products. I don’t know how I was not already a fan. I left Lucky Strike with a smile, but I wasn’t about to stop there.
The next stop was Father & Son Antiques located on West Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh. My first impression upon stumbling in (the floor wasn’t level at the entrance) was that a tornado ransacked a yard sale and threw up in the building. I explored room upon room of disorganized clutter and spotted a pair of boots that I fancied, but the pricetag scared me away.
I did notice, however, this place has some thing for every occasion you would ever be invited to, complete with prom dresses, fur coats and Japanese furniture. As I explored a bit more of the three-story building, I was impressed by a few things, but mainly a room full of old vinyl records.
Father & Son isn’t the first place I would go to buy a sweater or get some fresh air, but it’s definitely an experience no other thrift shop has ever offered me. I felt like I was on a treasure hunt, not knowing what I would find when I turned the next corner. Father & Son is definitely more for browsing than buying on a college student’s budget.
I wanted to finish off strong, so last but not least was a place I heard was highly praised, Cause For Paws, located about two miles from campus on South Saunders Street. Profits from the three Paws locations are being col lected to start their own nonprofit animal shelter, so I was hoping this one would be my favorite. Not surprisingly, it was.
My first impression was that I finally found my kind of thrift shop. The outside was a sketchy building in a dingy shopping center and smelled like a litter box, but I was ready to explore. Everything was neatly hung, or ganized and, more importantly, dirt cheap, because who wants to come to a thrift store and pay $10 for a shirt? The store was defi nitely marketed to a younger crowd.
What I found most impressive was the large selection of furniture, and, my personal fa vorite, knickknacks. Although that day I left empty handed, the next time I go I’m sure that will not be the case. I would highly recommend this store to any of my friends, partially because I think it’s important to support stores that give back and serve their communities, but mostly because it’s a hodge-podge of awesome.
Upon my return from exploration of the underground world of searching through thrift stores in Raleigh, I realized that there is a wide enough selection to please thrift store shoppers of all kinds. Also, I realized the importance of donating. One man’s trash is another’s treasure.
