Southport Magazine

Charity thrift stores are a win-win proposition. Shoppers can find just want they’re looking for or perhaps an unexpected treasure, get it at a great price, and know they are supporting their community in the process. When our son seemed to be outgrowing his band shoes every few months, we were able to keep up without breaking our budget thanks to the Communities In Schools Thrift Shop in Southport. Now all of the Southport area charity thrifts have joined together to create a Thrift Shop Trail that will kick off with a special event on Saturday, April 17 featuring sales and special giveaways at each shop.

“The Thrift Shop Trail includes CIS shops and other area thrift shops that are working to raise money and support area nonprofits. Participating thrift shops are the CIS Thrift Shop Boiling Spring Lakes, CIS Thrift Shop Southport, Dosher Hospital Flea Market, Habitat for Humanity Restore Southport, Hope Chest Oak Island, Hope Chest Supply/Bolivia, and Sheltered Treasures,” said Todd Beane, CIS Thrift Shop Operations Director and the man behind the Thrift Shop trail idea.

“The Thrift Shop Trail will be a simple route where a shopper can go to seven different area thrift shops that support nonprofit organizations in Brunswick County. With assistance from the Southport-Oak Island Chamber, we developed a brochure featuring the seven thrift shops,” Beane said. “The brochure includes a map with shop locations as well as a short description of each shop, their mission, contact information and even their Facebook page and website address. We compiled the Thrift Shop Trail brochure to assist visitors and local shoppers to map out their thrifty shopping experience and hopefully visit every shop on their thrifting day.” 

Brochures will be available at all participating shops as well as the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center on Long Beach Road. 

Thrift shops can be an import part of a nonprofit’s funding, and that is certainly true for CIS. “CIS Thrift Shops assist in raising funds to support Communities In Schools Action for Success dropout prevention program in Brunswick County schools,” Beane said. We have Action for Success programs located in Cedar Grove Middle School, Leland Middle School, Shallotte Middle School, South Brunswick Middle School, Town Creek Middle School, Waccamaw School (K-8), and Supply Elementary School.” 

Beane said regular customers enjoy thrift shops for their wide selection of donated items, often name brand items, always at low prices. “Thrift shops are so much fun!” He said, “There are treasures that can be found in each thrift shop. Customers should always be happy about shopping at thrift shops because it saves them money with the great pricing, helps the environment by keeping things out of the landfill, and customers know that every single purchase made goes toward helping students, at risk women and children, families without safe housing, or supporting whatever cause and organization the thrift shop raises funds to help.”

Area thrift stores are hoping for a good come-back this summer after the challenges of COVID. “Area thrift shops like other retail businesses, were greatly impacted by the pandemic. After being closed for almost two months, most were able to open back up but with reduced customer capacity, mandatory six foot social distancing, and the required wearing of masks by any staff, volunteer or customer. Constant disinfecting and cleaning of common areas and frequently touched surfaces to protect everyone was also a new routine multiple times throughout the day. Shop capacity limits have slowly risen since reopening with restrictions easing. Now that more and more people are getting vaccinated we are witnessing more customers coming out to shop regularly. All Southport Oak Island area thrift shops are hopeful for a summer season of strong retail,” said Beane. 

Participating Thrift Stores:

CIS Thrift Shops, proceeds benefit programs keeping local students in schools for a brighter future

3000 George II Highway, Boiling Spring Lakes

1635 N. Howe Street, Southport

Dosher Hospital Flea Market, proceeds benefit Dosher Memorial Hospital

129 E. Moore Street, Southport

Sheltered Treasures, Proceeds benefit Providence Home Teen Shelter

4831 Port Loop Road SE, Southport

Hope Chest, Proceeds provide financial support for Hope Harbor Home’s programs for domestic violence victims and their families

5602 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island

604 Ocean Highway East, Bolivia

Habitat For Humanity ReStore, proceeds build homes for individuals in need

4170 Long Beach Road SE, Southport