You have been on your eco-friendly journey for a while now: you buy organic whole foods (produce, grains, etc.), you bring your own shopping bags, you reduced your consumption of plastics, maybe you even eat less or no meat. Or one or some of these things. Or more than these! That’s great!
What is important is to maintain these earth-friendly habits, and then add in a few new ones that you can sustain.
One new habit you can add to your repertoire when you are ready is buying secondhand or vintage items when you find yourself in need of something. There is really no limit to finding something secondhand, except one’s ability to search and sometimes wait. Try looking on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, Craigslist, your local Buy Nothing Group, estate sales, Goodwill, thrift shops, and even the curb when you are in the market for ANYTHING.
I shop all of these and more to fill my shop with treasures I love – that I hope you will love – at prices that are vastly more affordable than buying these treasures new.
Here are just a few of the benefits of buying preloved things:
- lower cost to free;
- little to no dangerous off-gassing of items;
- many things from the days of yore still exist and are in circulation because they are quality;
- one of a kind finds (I have found so many worldly items this way);
- if you are patient, you will find whatever it is you are looking for; and
- YOU ARE KEEPING THINGS OUT OF THE LANDFILL (including packaging from new items).
I stock a number of basics in my shop, including glassware, table linens, coffee mugs and other kitchenware, clothing for babies, children, and adults, baskets, a smattering of garden tools, some unique artwork, candlestick holders, containers, and more. I have even included a few rougher materials in my shop like tiles and hinges for those unique projects in your home. There really is no limit to what you can buy secondhand. My goal is to one day be a more comprehensive and curated secondhand general store that sells everything from snow shovels and unique wool rugs to fine crystal and vintage records, furniture and garden tools to jewelry and cuff links.
I have some really nice things in my house, but I either paid very little for them, or I got them for free, which you can do, too. And when something has outlived its use your home and can be sent back out into the universe as a useful and beautiful thing, you can donate it, pass it on to friends or family, or set up a curb alert and keep the system going.
Pop by the shop to see what is in stock to fit your needs!