Four new thrift shops open in Fresno area, including a Goodwill Superstore in Hanford
Related: What’s the best thrift shop in the Fresno-Clovis area? Vote in our reader poll
High-waisted jeans and bucket hats are in again – and so is shopping at thrift stores.
Used clothing is making up a bigger percentage of people’s closets these days, with spending in the secondhand market expected to double by 2025.
It’s a trend that’s happening worldwide, driven mainly by Gen Z (people generally born between 1997 and 2012). Environmentally conscious and rejecting the trend of fast fashion, Gen Z shoppers are sharing their thrift shop hauls on TikTok and YouTube. And they’re often buying or reselling on apps like Depop and Poshmark.
Growth in thrifting is hitting the the central San Joaquin Valley too.
The valley, with its low incomes, has long been home to cash-strapped shoppers who regularly shop for their families at thrift stores.
Together, they’re driving the opening of new stores to meet the demand. At least four have opened in recent months, from Hanford to Clovis. It includes a first for our area, a Goodwill Superstore that took over half of a former Orchard Supply Hardware in Hanford. Another larger-than-average thrift shop has opened in Clovis.
These openings are on top of the three new vintage and thrift shops that regular readers may remember The Bee telling you about last summer.
Goodwill Superstore
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A new Goodwill store opened on 11th Avenue in Hanford last month in half of a former Orchard Supply Hardware store. The store is so big it’s dubbed a superstore.
It’s technically a move for Goodwill, which closed its Lemoore store and reopened in a space five times as big. (It brought over all its employees and is currently in the process of adding 14 more). There are 35,000 items on the sales floor at any one time, with 20% going out the door and being replenished each day.
Shopping habits are changing and thrift stores are adjusting, said Jake Slayton, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of South Central California.
“People wanted more selection. They wanted bigger stores,” he said. “If they’re going to leave the house, they want a lot of options.”
The new store has a few things most Goodwills don’t, like a boutique section. Higher-end brands are sold here for a little more than average Goodwill prices. A Tommy Hilfiger sherpa coat that sells on Amazon for $49 was priced here at $20, for example.
There’s also an Instagram wall for taking pictures of outfits just outside the dressing room. It’s got a green botanical background and a light that says “hello”.
The store also has the same departments as typical Goodwill stores at typical prices. There are housewares, books, furniture, children’s items and clothing for men, women and kids.
Most everything there is under $10, with women’s tops selling for $4.49 and jeans at $7.99.
The store also gets some overstock from Target, like floor lamps selling for $12 and candles.
When customers buy from Goodwill, their money goes to workers who have barriers to employment. That can include people who are getting off public assistance and people with low education levels, criminal backgrounds or disabilities.
Details: The Goodwill Superstore is at 700 N. 11th Ave. in Hanford. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 559-670-5995.
2nd Chance Thrift
Another large thrift store has opened in Clovis.
At the northwest corner of Clovis and Shaw Avenues, 2nd Chance Thrift & Collectibles is between Grocery Outlet and Baskin-Robbins/Togo’s. It opened in December.
The big space has all the regular departments: Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, as well as housewares, and furniture. There’s lot of books (including audio books) and movies.
Items are individually priced, with women’s tops, for example, ranging from about $2.98 to $12.
One thing to keep an eye out for: The store has a lot of sales with steep discounts. Follow 2nd Chance on Instagram and Facebook to see when sales happen, like 50% off white tags.
And be sure to look down for little messages painted on the floor like, “you found me” and “glad to see ya.”
All the profits from the store go to Centers for Living and their efforts to reduce homelessness and addiction in the area.
Details: 2nd Chance Thrift & Collectibles is at 1922 Clovis Ave. in Clovis. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays. 2ndchancethriftstore.org.
Mint Thrift
Yet another large thrift store opened in Fresno last month near Shaw and Marty avenues.
Mint Thrift is on Marty, behind Chili’s Grill & Bar. This one is a little more upscale than your typical thrift shop (hence the name, a reference to mint condition).
It’s got clothing for men, women and children, most priced at $4 to $6 with almost everything under $20. The home decor department — which has everything from dishes to wall art — is popular too.
A decent-sized book section offers 50-cent paperbacks and $1 hardbacks.
Mint also has a seasonal section that changes frequently. Recently it was stocked with prom dresses selling for $10 to $50.
The store is run by a nonprofit organization, the Acts Foundation, which is connected to LifeBridge Community Church. The thrift shop funds nonprofit work like bike giveaways, grocery giveaways and grocery deliveries for seniors.
The grocery operation shares the building, with giveaways happening on site.
Details: Mint Thrift is at 4798 N. Marty Ave. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. 559-981-6890.
Rainbow Star
Rainbow Star Thrift is a little place with a lot of merchandise packed into it, just the type of place for people who enjoy the thrill of the hunt. It’s at Shaw and Marks avenues, behind Outback Steakhouse.
It moved to the spot in December from a smaller one at Shields and West avenues.
Despite the name, much of the merchandise at Rainbow Star is new. It’s still discounted, with shoes selling for $10 and women’s tops ranging from $3.99 to $13.99.
It’s got plenty of Hawaiian shirts, along with some NFL jerseys and T-shirts. It also carries clothing with rich African prints for around $110.
Sizes range up to 5XL.
The shop benefits charities in Africa.
Details: Rainbow Star is at 2745 W. Shaw Ave. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. 916-676-3297.
This story was originally published May 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
