By YESSENIA VALENCIANA/Contributor
The fluorescent lights above hum softly, casting a dim glow upon the aisles. Color-coordinated clothes, stacks of old books and shelves of mismatched knickknacks fill the space. A faint mix of fabric softener, aged wood, and the metallic tang of hangers lingers in the air.
A young woman fingers the sleeve of a faded denim jacket. Her face lights up like she has found some sort of long-lost treasure. On the other side of the store, a man bends over an old dining table. His hands gently stroke aged wood holding the secret to a simpler time.
Every item in this busy thrift store whispers a story, waiting to be heard.
Take a look inside a second-hand goods store and a shop known for its vintage shopping experience.
Here, shoppers are explorers, digging through the remnants of others’ lives to uncover something extraordinary.
From personal treasure hunts to community-driven resale shops, buying secondhand is transforming how people value acquiring older things.
THRILL OF THE FIND
The sales floor in the Goodwill store on Loop 323 in Tyler is filled with yesteryear prom dresses, vintage glassware and paperback novels that have yellowed over time. Each quirky mug, well-worn T-shirt and retro cookbook carries its own history.
For Thu Paw, a college student, this isn’t just shopping. It’s an adventure.
“Spending hours at the thrift and then finding something makes you appreciate that item even more,” Thu says. “Every single thing that I’ve bought at a thrift store I’ve worn over and over.”
A 2023 study by secondhand online retailer Poshmark found that 72% of secondhand shoppers feel a deeper connection to their purchases than those who buy new.
“Honestly, worn-in clothes have a cooler look than brand new clothes,” Thu says.
ALTERNATIVE TO OVERCONSUMPTION
Buying secondhand goods is gaining popularity. Fueled by shifting consumer priorities toward sustainability and affordability, sales from online retailers of previously owned items are projected to double by 2028, according to a recent report from ThredUp, an online thrift retailer.
Other online platforms, such as Poshmark, Depop and Facebook Marketplace, are reimagining the way secondhand shopping is viewed. These platforms make it easy to buy and sell pre-loved items, contributing to a lifestyle where goods are reused and given a new life rather than thrown away.
The rise of rental services for clothing and furniture also allows people to enjoy variety of good without the commitment of ownership.
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This story won first place for multimedia feature and the graphic won second place for static information graphic in the 2024 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awards.
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For some people, buying secondhand is a way to combat the negative aspects associated with overconsumption.
Overconsumption refers to an unsustainable rate of consuming resources and goods. It also considers the hidden costs of these choices.
Recent studies have found that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and roughly 20% of wastewater production.
Human rights organizations attribute the demand for cheap goods with promoting a labor force in some countries in which millions endure exploitative and unsafe conditions and receive wages that barely cover basic needs.
A report by the International Labor Organization highlights that nearly 28 million people worldwide are trapped in forced labor within industries that feed the global supply chain.
SHERRY SUE’S RESALE SHOP
On a quiet street in San Augustine, a brick-front building painted a deep red stands out. Above the door, the printed sign reads “Sherry Sue’s Resale Shop.
Inside, the scent of vintage fabric intertwines with the smell of aged wood and traces of old leather.
“It’s like a treasure hunt,” says Brenda Yanez, a regular at Sherry Sue’s Resale Shop. “You never know what you’ll find, but each piece feels special because it’s not something you can find at your regular store.”
In this comfortable space, shoppers don’t just browse. They linger, laugh, and share stories.
This small resale shop is the life’s work of Sherry Poindexter, a woman whose journey into second-hand treasures began out of sheer necessity. Becoming a mother at 16 wasn’t something she was prepared for. Money was tight, and Sherry quickly discovered garage sales and resale shops as a lifeline.
Among dusty boxes and messy racks, she found baby clothes, home essentials, and, unexpectedly, a sense of hope.
“I was just doing this because I needed to,” Sherry says. “At some point, going to garage sales and secondhand stores was no longer because I couldn’t afford anything but because I really liked it.”
Years later, Sherry turned her love for resale shopping into a business. What was once a grocery store was transformed into Sherry Sue’s Resale Shop, a cozy haven filled with unique items she and her husband search far and wide for.
Over time, the shop grew into a community hub where locals gather shop and connect.
Shoppers share laughs with Faith Blackstone, Sherry’s niece, who helps run the store.
“It’s wonderful how my aunt has built this big sense of community in a small little store,” Faith says.
For Sherry, the shop is a way to give back. Some of the proceeds from her business are donated to local causes, like 4-H programs for kids.
“I’m happy about my small little shop and the people that fill it every day,” Sherry says. “I want people who come in here to take the happiness that I feel with them when they step out of here.”
“I’m happy about my small little shop and the people that fill it every day,” Sherry says. “I want people who come in here to take the happiness that I feel with them when they step out of here.”