Cindy’s Unique Shop, which is located on North Colony Street, sells used home decor pieces at affordable prices.
As you switch your fall clothes for warmer garments and realize you hate your old cardigan, think twice before tossing it into a trash bin. There are numerous thrifting initiatives, both on and around campus, that allow for the Choate community to economically and environmentally donate and buy used clothing.
Perhaps the most well-known event for students and faculty is The Thrifty Boar, an annual thrift sale hosted by the C-Proctors. This year, The Thrifty Boar took place on Sunday, December 4, during brunch. All clothing items were priced at $1 or in exchange for one donated item.
The Thrifty Boar starts off with a fairly large inventory. According to C-Proctor Riley Choi ’18, at the end of each school year, she and the other C-Proctors visit dorm common rooms to gather clothes that have been left in designated piles. Those garments are then stored on campus until December.
The C-Proctors donate all the profits to charity every few years, after enough money has been raised. Typically, The Thrifty Boar raises anywhere from $75 to $140.
Customers of The Thrifty Boar range from devoted fans who go every year to the casual passerby. Sabastian Chacon ’19, who first noticed the Thrifty Boar when he was having brunch, falls in the latter category. He recalled, “I was just curious in what they were selling, so I started looking around.” Chacon left the sale with a new (or rather, not-so-new) sweater, which he wore the following day.
Of course, one of the major appealing factors of thrift sales is the low price tags. “I think the budget of a lot of teenagers can be dedicated to clothes, so it’s good to find different resources that allow you to buy clothes that you would like at a lower price,” said Genevieve Richardson ’17.
By exposing students to the advantages of thrift shopping, the C-Proctors also hope to inspire more in the broader community. Opportunities abound: Wallingford alone has one thrift shop, which accepts donations, and two consignment stores, which purchase used items.
St. Paul’s Thrift Shop, located behind the St. Paul’s Episcopalian Church on North Main Street, sells clothes, books, home goods, toys, and accessories. “You have to dig around to find what you’re looking for. I really liked that they had a lot of old men’s sweaters that were very comfortable — and a good price,” said Antigone Ntagkounakis ’17.
Twice as Nice Consignment, located on North Planes Industrial Road, is small but packed full of interesting items. Dr. Jared Diamond and his family had a very positive experience at the store, and they left with a “just ugly-enough-to-be-really-cool soft, used chair that was perfect for our kid’s room.” The fun of thrift shopping is in the uncertainty, and Twice as Nice is certainly no exception. Dr. Diamond recalled, “You never quite know what you’re going to find. Some places in the store you just get the sense of ‘Oh my goodness, someone bought this new at one point,’ and then in other places you just want to spend an hour or longer gazing.”
Cindy’s Unique Shop, located on North Colony Street, sells second-hand furniture, decorations, and jewelry. Slightly more upscale than the others, as Lauren Lamb ’17 put it, “If you have a bigger budget, go to Cindy’s.”
Moe Janneh ’18, who visited The Thrifty Boar last Sunday, spoke for many students when he said, “It was really fun because there were a lot of things, they’re really cheap, and even more than that, they’re for a good cause. I was happy to participate.” Thus, thrift shopping is a win-win-win.
