Thrifting is Buying American

On the subway home this afternoon, I looked over the shoulder of a businessman reading The Financial Times.  On the front page was the headline “Cheap chic lifts Fifth Avenue’s fortunes“.  You have to sign up online to read the article, but the link is here.

The article basically announces the arrival of foreign retailers Zara, Uniqlo and H&M on 5th Avenue in New York City, a move many deem an important boost to our economy.

“Foreign retailers of “cheap chic” are colonising New York’s Fifth Avenue as the shopping street that was once a symbol of luxury is transformed by the changing habits of money-conscious consumers….“They surpassed US retailers in their ability to execute. Now they’re coming to eat America’s lunch…”

Through a convoluted string of governmental decisions over the years that involves both parties, it’s no secret that our economy relies so heavily on foreign labor and enterprise that we’re basically up to our necks in debt.  An enormous movement to “Buy American” is sweeping the nation, one I wholeheartedly agree with.

With regard to “cheap chic,” lord knows I understand.  Just because money is tight doesn’t mean we stop the urge to shop; in fact, the urge seems ramped up because we’re now looking at our lives through a lens of what we lack.

However, for the ultimate in cheap chic that actually supports America, for heaven’s sake, get to a thrift store.

For those of you who already shop in thrift stores, it’s not news to you that thrifting is buying American.  For those of you who haven’t yet thought about it, I do urge you to consider the concept, and consider it well.  No matter an item’s origin, once it is donated to a charity resale shop, it becomes an American product.

Why? Because the money spent on purchases in charity resale shops goes directly back into the community, providing vital support programs for Americans in need. From the Salvation Army’s dedication to helping people struggling with homelessness, hunger, addiction and other crises, Goodwill’s job training programs, Saint Vincent de Paul’s person-to-person program helping over 12,000,000 people in need,  to the thousands of independent churches, hospital and community action organizations who have their own thrift stores, thrifting is absolutely buying American.

Even if you’re not necessarily moved by the idea of bargain hunting, shopping in thrift stores helps America, no matter your political affiliation.  Whether you’re donating or shopping, that should be enough to get you in the door.

And that, dear people, is my soapbox for tonight.

Yours in thrift,
Nicole