Hunting for Treasures at a Thrift Store

Editor’s Note: Come along with junior mass communications student Yessenia Valenciana as she searches for items at a Goodwill store in Tyler. 

 

By YESSENIA VALENCIANA/Contributor

A blend of aged wood, faint fabric softener, the metallic tang of clothes racks and hangers and the mustiness of old books intermingle in the air. It’s the smell of countless stories, of lives lived and items left behind.

Aisles of neatly color-coordinated clothes, metal shelves overflowing with vintage glassware and nicknacks, and stacks of books and DVDs fill the Goodwill store on Loop 323 in Tyler.

The store is alive with quiet energy as shoppers scavenge through racks and shelves, their eyes scanning for treasures. For shoppers, the store is like an uncharted map waiting to be explored.

COLORS, TEXTURES AND STORIES

My hunt for bargains begins in the many aisles of clothing. The clothes hanging from the racks create a patchwork of colors and textures. As I flip through each hanger, the fabrics tell their own stories. Well-worn T-shirts with faded tags, tacky prom dresses that were in style years ago and faded denim jeans.

I pause to admire a light green top with “Rangers Sweetie” printed in the middle. Considering the jagged edges that lined the neck and arm area, the shirt seems to be DIY-ed. Knowing nothing about baseball, I added it to my shopping the cart simply for its pretty design.

“My entire closet is thrifted,” says college student Thu Paw, browsing a nearby rack. “Honestly, worn-in clothes have a cooler look than brand new clothes.”

In the fitting room, I try on the shirt and a few other things: a yellow shirt with printed cocktails, an older UT Tyler T-shirt with the phrase “Ahhh Swoop Swoop” written on it and denim jeans that seem to be from the early 2000s.

Everything I tried on fit perfectly, as if these items were meant for me to find.

BETWEEN THE PAGES

I wander to the section of the store where books with yellowed pages and cracked spines line the wall.

Children’s books, ancient cookbooks and an entire book series that someone my mom’s age probably read in high school sit in mismatched rows. A large hardback cover book catches my eye. A distorted woman in a pink hue is pictured on the cover. That alone is enough for me to put it in my cart.

THE CHARM OF EVERYDAY OBJECTS

My last stop is to check out the mismatched plates, teacups and quirky kitchen gadgets for sale. Each of these items is separated by color and neatly placed on the metal shelf.

As I panned through the white color section, my eyes spot a white mug with writing that read “I’m the boss.” It is things like these that make shopping at a thrift store fun.

Next to me, Alondra Gonzales excitedly picks up two plastic cereal containers.

“Oh my god. These are so cheap,” Gonzales says. “I was just looking for some on Amazon that were literally double the price.”

SECOND LIFE FOR HIDDEN TREASURES

As I line up behind a customer to pay, I notice that every item in each person’s cart appears to be a reflection of who they are.

Items I never imagined buying sit in these people’s carts. They saw the beauty in these items and are willing to give those things a second chance.

Every thrift store is an adventure, and every find is a piece of treasure waiting to be loved again.

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