On a 50%-off day, the Goodwill at 6363 Rittman Rd. was packed on a Friday early afternoon. And while you maybe won’t find a hidden Chanel tweed or a vintage Givenchy sport line polo (a real discovery at another secondhand shop), this spot is a great place for three things: basics at significantly lower prices, workwear, and unique, affordably priced luxury brands you may never have heard of.
If you’re sifting through the racks at this new shop, it’s definitely worth stopping if you see a unique texture, a splash of strange color or beadwork. While digging through the jackets, MySA spotted some steals – like a Tahari blouse for $9 (which can run you a couple hundred new) or a $400 Hickey Freeman blazer for about the same discounted price.
There are contemporary brands – with retail prices that sit between mass-market fashion and luxury brands – as well as household names and mall favorites. Densely packed aisles of denim and shirts, in both the men’s and women’s sections, feature brands from Old Navy to obscure boutique brands out of California. And for the most part, these items, originally priced at $30 to $80, are being sold for $8.99.
Again, it’s largely going to serve those looking for office attire or casual weekend basics – a blazer and trousers or a T-shirt and jeans – but it’s worth a visit to avoid a regrettable, overpriced fast-fashion purchase.
Plus, you’re contributing to a good cause and to a local industry. While Goodwill is a national brand, Goodwill San Antonio is a separate nonprofit brand that’s locally owned, though it’s interwoven with the larger company through trademarks and a unified mission.
“In addition to operating retail stores and donation stations in San Antonio, Bulverde, Cibolo, Kerrville, Laredo, Live Oak, Lytle, New Braunfels, Seguin, and the surrounding areas, Goodwill San Antonio provides no-cost certified career training programs and employment placement services through its Goodwill Academy & Career Services and manages contracts for the U.S. government and local municipalities for outsourced business services,” Goodwill San Antonio’s mission states.
A note from Zach: There’s no question that interest in thrifting has skyrocketed. While nationally it could easily be chalked up to a recession indicator, it’s been a hobby that unites San Antonio friends for years. With the uptick in interest, new stores are cropping up all over town – even new brands – but which ones are really worth your time? MySA is diving deep into the growing list of thrift stores across the city and letting you know where to go.