From Closets to Racks

Plattsburgh consignment and second hand shops put a new spin on close-knit all while returning cash to its right place – your wallet

Story and photo by Rachel Hislop

While unpacking her clothing and restocking her closet, Dani Carter asked herself a question that daunts much of the middle class: How did she accrue so much clothing? “I was moving out of my apartment and I had three huge bags of clothing,” Carter says. “I had no idea when I even accumulated so much clothing.” Her only refuge and alternative to throwing the clothing to the dumps was to donate them. “I had some good items, just things that I was tired of or that were out of date, but still in good condition, so I didn’t want to throw them out,” Carter says.

Carter instead did what many people are finding to be a superior choice to trashing clothing, or turning garments from riches to dusting rags; they are trading their clothing in to consignment shops. Major consumers and minor collectors are both feeling the need to do their part at being green by not only clearing out their closet space by donating to second hand stores, but by also purchasing second hand items.

“I think people consign because they hate to see things go to waste. It’s nice to see other people use them."

To the luck of Plattsburgh residents, the town’s historic charm can be found not only at the Macdonough Monument or up the steps of city hall, but also on the racks of the city’s many consignment and second hand shops. There are over half a dozen in Plattsburgh.

“I think people consign because they hate to see things go to waste. It’s nice to see other people use them,” says Patrice Kelly, a helper at Plattsburgh’s newest consignment shop, DressCode.

Consignment of clothing and antiques is not only a way to minimize waste, but is also a way to supplement the thrift shopping addiction you will surely acquire once introduced to the magic of  second-hand shopping. 

“We have all types of people coming through the door,” says Georgia Silver, owner of The Bargaineer, a variety second-hand shop on Bridge Street. “It can vary from doctors and lawyers to the person who is on social services.”

But before you run out and attempt to sell the contents of your bedroom bureau in search of a big check, it might be helpful to know the difference between consignment stores and donation sites, and how both can be a benefit to you and even to your community.

In a typical consignment setting, an individual brings in his or her used clothes for the owner to sell. The owner prices the items based on what they think the items will sell for and pays the owner a fraction of that amount once the item sells. The payments are sometimes paid in cash, check or store credit given to the customer.

“When people come in to consign, we have them fill out a contract. They drop off a bag of stuff they want to sell, and they can opt to have the items that don’t sell donated or returned to them. The proceeds are split sixty-forty,” Kelly says of the consignment process at DressCode.

"People don’t understand that if they use us as a landfill, we have to pay to get rid of unsellable items."

At Fashion Exchange, a consignment shop located on Boynton Avenue in Plattsburgh, clothing that does not sell after 90 days is eligible to be put on half price sale, on their infamous $2 rack, or donated to a local charity. Thrift shops and consignment shops alike normally ask that all clothing come in new and ready-to-sell, and the vendors check their clothing for stains or any mishaps prior to bringing them into the store.

“People don’t understand that if they use us as a landfill, we have to pay to get rid of unsellable items,” says Chuck Bongiorno, development director of the Salvation Army in Burlington, Vermont. “If they are using us as dumps, then they are taking money away from their community programs.”

Georgia Silver of The Bargaineer, which has been in business since 1982, is especially selective when it comes to picking items to sell in her store, because they will be hanging around for some time.

 “Our things don’t have a shelf life,” Silver says. “We keep everything and hope to sell it.”

The Bargaineer, however, is not a consignment shop. They purchase items from walk-ins and put them on their shelves for sale.

“We carry just about everything from gold and diamond rings, DVDs, glassware, electronic game systems, furniture, dishes. We have something for everyone,” Silver says.

“I think a lot of people are selling stuff because of the economy,” Silver says. “Some people probably just need the money to buy groceries.”

“Clothing, furniture and other items donated to sites such as the Salvation Army are eligible for tax write-offs.”

Consignment shops do have the right to turn away perfectly good items they do not think will sell in their stores. No fretting; there is always the donation route. Donating clothing has benefits that go beyond that sensational feeling of accomplishing a good deed.

“Clothing, furniture and other items donated to sites such as the Salvation Army are eligible for tax write-offs,” Bongiorno says.  “Most of the donations can be brought directly into the stores, or into our warehouse and we give folks receipts for tax write-offs.”

Profits from the sales of items from Salvation Army stores go directly into local programs in the area. Friendly kitchen is an evening meal program that served over 40,000 meals last year in the Vermont area and is funded entirely by the Salvation Army. Emergency Services, a social service program that provides financial help to underprivileged families, and the Christmas distribution that saved Christmas with gifts for over 2,200 kids last December, are also two life changing programs funded by profits from donations.

Some of Plattsburgh’s second hand shops differ in the type of clothing they sell, and it seems as if every store has found its niche. Many have one thing in common with the Salvation Army—they are providing gently used goods at a price that is beyond reasonable. Little Folks Trading Post on McKinley Avenue is a consignment store for children’s clothing. Fashion Exchange in Boynton Square accepts and sells gently used women’s, men’s and junior’s clothing, but is aimed at more mature shoppers. The Bargaineer carries a large variety of just about anything, and DressCode is targeted at high school to college-aged students.

Remember, despite many stigmas attached to second hand goods, there are true treasures waiting to be discovered. “We’ve gotten Coach bags in and brand new shoes, and you wonder why people would give some of this stuff up,” Kelly says.

What is the best item you have ever found while second hand shopping?