NOTE: This is a review for the thrift store only…read more
Summary: A well set up, clean, spacious thrift store, with proceeds that go to a good cause. Used to be reasonably priced, now is more akin to a pricey boutique.
Full Review: The La Plata County Humane Society Thrift Store is a local favorite that I used to frequent regularly, despite living almost 90min away. Though the prices could be slightly higher than some of the other thrift stores in the area, they were still reasonable, with tons of great deals, a huge selection, and new inventory in stock all the time. They used to have one day a month where prices were 50% off, and people would line the block waiting for the store to open.
Unfortunately, possibly due to covid, the business model of the store changed. They seemingly opted to focus on a smaller selection of higher quality inventory, at a much higher price. This is understandable, considering the fact that they're volunteer-run. However, they have seemingly continued this business model. This may also have something to do with a Goodwill opening up around that same time, but I don't know. I'm sure there were various factors at play.
I like to support local causes like this, and I understand if they need to raise their prices. But last time I stopped by, I left after 15min with a bad taste in my mouth. I found a pair of used shoes that were priced higher than the same model listed NEW online. A more recent trend for thrift stores has been looking up items on eBay to price them, but I wish they'd keep in mind that they need to look at what has actually SOLD on eBay, and for how much. Then hopefully price it lower than that, otherwise many people don't have much of an incentive to shop locally when they could get a deal on the same thing with just a few clicks online.
At the end of the day, thrift stores are supposed to be where you can find great deals, or at least OK deals on things that you can really use. Higher prices can still be a great deal at a thrift store. However, some of the prices are high enough that it's hard not to feel cheated.
Many locals were upset when Goodwill opened up nearby, thinking that it would make the LPHS thrift store go out of business. Because of this, I think many people still prefer to donate to the LPHS thrift store, but who knows how much of that goes into the trash. One huge downside to a smaller amount of circulating inventory at higher prices is that they get a whole lot of donations, and if you're only seeing top of the line items in the store, that means that plenty of very usable stuff is being tossed (I suppose it's possible they give the excess to Goodwill, but I have no clue). All thrift stores throw some items away (especially if it's ACTUALLY garbage). They don't want people to know this, but it's just a fact. However, some thrift stores get very callous about it (they're getting it for free, after all) and throw away anything that doesn't meet a very strict standard. Where the LPHS thrift store falls on this scale, I have no idea.
Clearly, they do still have a clientele, but I don't even bother stopping in most of the time even when I'm in the area, which is a shame, as I used to love this place. My guess is that they get plenty of out-of-town people from bigger cities who stop by, and probably locals who have plenty money. I'd be surprised if many lower income folks still frequent this place. Thrift stores can be a really valuable resource for people who don't make much, so it's a shame when they price high on items they get for free.
The prices on things they regularly have in stock, like clothes, can be OK, but the selection on those items isn't any bigger or higher quality than other thrift stores in the area.
On a somewhat random note, the store used to have a pair of bathrooms that they transitioned into gender-neutral bathrooms. As a nonbinary individual who isn't crazy about using gendered bathrooms, I really appreciated this. However, they soon completely shuttered the bathrooms, and haven't opened them since covid (this seems to be a trend in many stores unfortunately). This is another thing that, while I'm sure there was a reason behind it, added to the somewhat unwelcoming atmosphere that I feel the store has developed the more they raise their prices and become inaccessible to people who AREN'T the type of folks who buy trendy 'vintage' items on Etsy.
You're still going to be finding some really cool and unique items here (keep an eye out for the stuff behind the front counter). You're still going to be supporting a good cause. Just be willing to either pay up, or spend a while picking through to find maybe one or two things you really really need.