Trash to treasure: thrifting meets vintage

BY PAULY SUBA
Journal Staff

On a typical Saturday morning, a crowd gathers outside the Salvation Army Thrift Store long before its doors open at 10 a.m. By 9 a.m., eager “thrifters” are already sifting through piles of clothing laid out on tables, hunting for hidden gems.

At the Salvation Army Thrift Store, Saturdays are special. For just $10, you can stuff as many clothes as you can into a trash bag; a challenge that brings out the bargain hunter in everyone. The store’s shelves are stocked with everything from toys and books to clothing and accessories for all ages and sizes. Every purchase supports year-long programs that help people across the island. Prices range upwards from 50¢ per book and $2 for some household items. The store offers economical prices for clothing and shoes.

For many, like thrift clothes reseller Chris Dela Cruz, this is how the weekend starts — a ritual that combines a love of vintage fashion with the thrill of discovery.

Dela Cruz, who has been reselling thrifted clothing for some time, said his customer base is diverse, ranging from younger shoppers who favor trendy, all-over print designs to collectors seeking nostalgic pieces from the ’80s and ’90s. "It's pretty mixed," he said of the varied preferences of those who buy from him, both in-person and online.

For Dela Cruz and others in the thrifting community, the appeal goes beyond finding specific brands; it’s about the unique designs and the excitement of never knowing what they might find. As interest in sustainable fashion grows, so does the popularity of thrifting, with more people embracing secondhand shopping to both express personal style and support environmental sustainability.

Mykieu Huynh, a dedicated “thrifter,” is excited when he finds unique items. "A lot of the time while thrifting, I look for pieces that you wouldn't find in stores," Huynh said. He gravitates toward vintage items from brands like Nike and Adidas that are no longer in production and quirky finds from small global brands.

While thrifting is often seen as a trend among younger shoppers, Huynh noted a diverse crowd at local thrift shops. "Buying secondhand clothes might cater more to younger people, but at the local thrift shop, you see a wide array of ages, from high schoolers to senior citizens," he said.

Huynh's personal style reflects his love for color, he said. "With my sense of fashion, I'm into a lot of colors," he said, seeking out vibrant pieces amid the usual black and white offerings., He said other shoppers often also seek out well-loved brands like Nike, Adidas, Carhartt, and Dickies, and are drawn to items with that "used but still wearable" look.

The unpredictability of thrift shopping is part of the thrill. "You never really know what you'll get, but there's always a good chance you'll find something that caters to your interest," Huynh said. Regular visits to thrift stores increase the chances of scoring great finds, as "the more consistently you go, the better pieces you'll find."

Such shopping offers a budget-friendly alternative and promotes a more sustainable lifestyle, he said. “I think thrifting has become more popular lately because a lot of people are overconsuming fast fashion," Huynh said.

At the Flip It shop in The Compadres Mall Owner Noah Dueñas is redefining the local thrifting scene. What began with sourcing from familiar spots like the Salvation Army and Island Girl Power has evolved in three years of business into a buy-sell-trade model. "We wanted to do that — where we give our customers a chance to come in and either resell their item or trade it for something they see inside," Dueñas said. This system promotes a sustainable cycle of reuse, allowing customers to refresh their wardrobe without leaving a footprint.

Local thrifting has become increasingly competitive, he said. “It used to be a lot easier to shop at thrift stores… but there is a lot of competition.” With thrifting's surge in popularity, finding unique pieces in these once quieter spots has become more challenging.

The sustainability movement has influenced consumer attitudes, especially among younger generations. “Some people can’t fathom the idea of buying something that’s new to someone else,” Dueñas said. However, many appreciate the environmental benefits and the distinctiveness of thrifted items, he said. “The one thing that thrifting brings to the fashion scene is that each item is unique...you don’t have 20 of the same shirts… you come here, and the chances are you’re the only one that’s going to have that shirt.”

Dueñas said trading clothes has become a fun, sustainable way for middle school kids to refresh their wardrobes. “You’ll have kids in the middle school age coming to trade clothes that no longer fit them to get credit for another piece of clothing in our shop.”

Speaking for his store only, Dueñas said brand loyalty is fading, with unique vintage items now commanding attention. “We’ll bring a shirt that has maybe some stains, but it has this cool vintage design from the 2000s,” Dueñas said.

The shop has also seen a surge in interest in unique local memorabilia. Following Typhoon Mawar, Flip It’s “I survived Typhoon Pongsona” shirts flew off the racks. “Even though people were going through a tough time, when we reopened after Mawar, people sought those shirts out,” Dueñas said. Items that showcase island pride, like a class of ’86 shirt from JFK, have also captured attention. “The graphics are so much cooler, and you have that sense of island pride,” he said.

Carlene Atalig Mitchell, co-owner and president of Trove Guam located in the Micronesia Mall said, "Gone are the days where thrifting was done in secret… Nowadays, our customers love to brag about the price they paid for the name-brand item they got."

Mitchell said her clientele includes everyone, however it’s the younger age group that Trove attracts the most. “The Gen Z and Millennials are very supportive of sustainability and are more conscious of their shopping.”

She said the sustainability movement has played a huge role in boosting the appeal of thrifting, "Aside from the thrill of finding a banger or holy grail... it's about being part of the movement in reusing and reducing," Mitchell said.

With items ranging from ’90s vintage tees to top brands like Lululemon and Patagonia, curated by fashion-savvy pickers, there’s something for everyone at Trove. Mitchell said, “It’s fun to be of service to them by constantly adding different pieces to the floor, while reducing our waste.”

At the Island Girl Power’s Kurason Ysengsong Thrift Store in Dededo, thrift shopping is more than just a retail activity — it's a community lifeline. Juanita Blaz, executive director of IGP; said, "We have a lot of resellers coming through." They buy items to sell elsewhere, including baby clothes from the IGP boutique. Even as other stores scaled back, Island Girl Power stepped up, becoming a key donation site and offering some of the lowest prices for items like scrubs, which are popular among healthcare workers. "We have people that are home care providers, nurses, come in and get scrubs for $5 each," Blaz said, emphasizing the affordability that helps maintain dignity for workers.

Thrifting trends have impacted organizations like IGP in some significant ways.  Blaz said, "Some resellers “actually contribute a percentage back to the program,” and tag IGP on social media.

However, Blaz said there are financial challenges faced by the organization and the allocation of the thrift store's profits support the cost of utilities, she said. “Just power alone exceeds $2,000, $3,000 a month." Despite all efforts, "The thrift store barely covers [expenses] most of the time," which means IGP often relies on community contributions.

Blaz highlighted the need for community understanding about the true value of support. "Yes, repurposing and reselling is so essential in our community. But if [people] really want to contribute, drop some funds down." She said financial support would greatly help "contribute to our operational expenses and make it so that we're not struggling to just pay the utilities."

Younger generations are also making their mark at Island Girl Power, with high school and college students actively involved. One standout, a volunteer crafts friendship bracelets and places them in IGP’s vending machines or gives them away.

The thrift shop’s store manager, Johnsiny Relech, also plays an educational role, carrying a kit of brochures and resources, and speaking to customers about mental health and breast cancer awareness. "I may not know you, but your mental health matters," Relech tells them.

Despite financial challenges and high utility costs, Blaz remains focused on expanding the impact, including plans for a new facility to teach skills like sewing and carpentry. Blaz said, “The goal is to really put the skills back into the community so that families can sustain themselves.”

Other notable thrift stores across the island offer a treasure hunt experience like no other, with a variety of stores catering to different styles and budgets.

In Dededo’s Macheche Plaza, Othergoods Apparel & Clothing offers a unique mix of second-hand finds and new items from popular brands like DBTK and 40s & Shorties. Describing its inventory as “non-essential essentials,” this store is perfect for those looking for a quirky blend of old and new.

Good Lookin’ Out, located on Aspinal Avenue in Hagatña, is all about variety. The shop sells random assortments of wearable goods, including second-hand clothing and new Ben Davis shirts. You might also stumble upon vinyl records and other hidden gems.

In Mongmong, Hidden Treasures Thrift Store and Boutique, located in the NIL building, lives up to its name with an eclectic mix of pre-loved clothes, toys, household items, and more. mbj