WAYNESBORO – “You found a treasure” is how Joe Calderon describes his reaction to customers when they come across just what they’re looking for at his Waynesboro thrift store.
And they’ll find even more to choose from when Nifty Thrifty, located at 44 E. Main since 2018, moves to a larger location next month.
The new store, Hub City Thrift, is in an 8,000-square-foot space at 117 Walnut St. across from the Boro Plaza in Waynesboro.
“We’ve outgrown the store on East Main Street and will now be able to offer a wider selection of clothing and home goods. We also are going to have fitting rooms and restrooms at the new location,” said Calderon of Hagerstown. The new store will be nearly triple the size of the shop on East Main Street, he added.
There will be free parking on Walnut Street, which is undergoing a revitalization project between Second and Third Streets, where the new store is located. Work includes the installation of victorian lights and new curbs and sidewalks in preparation for that section of the street to be rebuilt.
“I see all the work and glad they’re doing that and investing in the community. The new lights are great,” noted Calderon. “We appreciate all the support we have received that has allowed us to expand into the new space.”
The store accepts donations of clean, new or gently “loved” (used) clothing for its inventory, according to Calderon, who also owns a Hub City Thrift store in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Items that do not meet the standards for the retail stores are sold in Hub City’s outlet store at 14 W. Franklin Street in Hagerstown. “(There) You can fill a small bag for $10 and a bigger bag for $20,” he noted. Leftover inventory is sold to a recycler, Calderon said.
Merchandise at the new store will mirror Nifty Thrifty’s merchandise, including shoes, and men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as books, movies, toys, knickknacks, cookware, electronics, sheets and jewelry. “We also have vintage items, formal wear, uniforms, maternity clothing and swimsuits and closer to winter will have boots, coats and jackets,” he added.
“In recent years people are becoming more environmentally conscious about the need to reuse items rather than throwing them away. We try to keep it affordable – the average shirt is less than $5, pants are less than $6 and kids clothes start at 99 cents for most items,” he added. Items at Nifty Thrifty are now 70 percent off in preparation for the move.
“We have something for everyone. I see all ages and generations of families shopping together,” Calderon said.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The phone number is 717-387-5827. For more information, readers may visit the store’s Facebook page.
