RETAIL WATCH
Colorado thrift chain picks San Antonio for Texas debut
The opening of San Antonio's first Arc thrift Store comes just in time for Halloween.
Call it a recession indicator. Amid a nationwide boom in second-hand shopping, San Antonio is getting another new thrift chain. Arc Thrift Stores (stylized as the lower-case arc) will make its Alamo City (and Texas) debut at 5776 Stemmons Dr. on October 5.
The chain dates back to 1968, when a group of parents founded the first Denver store to support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Since then, the nonprofit venture has grown to more than 40 locations in the Southwest — and one of Colorado’s largest employers of people with IDD.
“We’re committed to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with employment opportunities, advocacy, and support,” explained CEO Lloyd Lewis in a release. “And we are excited to provide a new sustainable and affordable shopping destination in an amazing community.”
The stores are similar to thrifting giants like Goodwill and Thrift Town. The stock, which includes a wide selection of home goods, is constantly replenished. As with all thrift stores, the best deals require a hunt and frequent visits, both to get the freshest finds and to outwit Depop resellers.
At least in Colorado, where the chain offers free pickup, the stores have become a popular resource for furniture. Furniture flippers are frequent guests on Get Thrifty, the company’s in-house podcast. The release did not specify whether San Antonio would have a similar service, but it’s always worth a stop before purchasing a flat-pack chest-of-drawers.
Arc will debut with preview events from 10 am-6 pm daily, October 5-7, but it's saving its biggest deals for later. Starting with the October 8 grand opening, it will offer 50-percent discounts every Saturday, half-off steals for seniors on Tuesdays, and color tag sales every Wednesday.
Regular store hours will be Monday-Friday, 9 am-9 pm; Saturday, 8 am-9 pm; and Sunday, 10 am-6 pm.
Arc’s opening follows a surge in the second-hand market both across the U.S. and in San Antonio. A recent study from online consignment shop ThredUp stated that thrift shopping has grown to a $56 million market in the U.S.
The trend is driving a growing San Antonio market. In April, Californian chain Red White & Blue Thrift Store made its local debut at 5722 Walzem Rd., followed by a new Goodwill location at 6363 Rittiman Rd. in May. Thrift at the Warehouse is also renovating a former gym at 9703 Bandera Rd. in preparation for an October 8 opening.
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