Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 22, 1995 TAG: 9508230025
SECTION: WELCOME STUDENTS PAGE: WS-26 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ERIN MCFARLAND AND DAVID JACKSON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Designer labels and expensive accessories suddenly don't mean as much to you as they did when you were manager of the Burger Barn back in Hometown, USA. And yet, some small voice inside you still says "I need new stuff!'' Enter the greatest invention mankind has ever known: The Thrift Store.
The New River Valley and its surrounding area offer much in the way of things other people don't want anymore. Cries of "How could somebody get rid of this?!?'' echo in the aisles of stores such as the Salvation Army Store in Christiansburg and Pulaski's Goodwill Store.
Polyester and reinforced collars are making a serious comeback on the fashion scene. Besides, let's face it, synthetic fabrics aren't going to biodegrade in the landfill any time soon. We might as well be getting some use out of them.
"This seems right up my alley," you might say. "But I'm new in town and I don't know the best places to go." That's where we come in. If you've ever spent more than $10 at one time in a thrift store, consider yourself a veteran. If not, take it from a couple of veterans many times over.
Our first stop is the old standby, the Y Thrift Shop on South Main in Blacksburg. They've just moved to a new location because of their resounding success in getting the goods to the people. Lots of clothes, dishes and books - the usual stuff - but the real attraction here is the amount of great furniture you'll find. When the leases are up, the graduates dump it all here. We personally know of one couch that came from here initially and has changed hands among friends at least three times - and it rocks on. Check out the extra cool book-trade policy as well.
Just across the parking lot in an old restaurant building is the Humane Society's Second Time Around store. We can't personally vouch for it because its Friday- and Saturday-only hours have made it difficult to visit, but one friend scored a fat stack of truly bizarre children's records for 25 cents each. You can guess where the proceeds go.
Next stop, Christiansburg and the McEap clothing store on Roanoke Street. We need say only one thing - two bucks a bag! A brown paper grocery store bag, that is; and what's more, the clothes there are as vintage and synthetic as they come. They have all kinds of stuff from T-shirts and jeans to suits and dresses. By the time you find three things for yourself, the price is right and you can start looking for stuff for your friends, too.
The proceeds from this fine establishment go to the Montgomery County Community Shelter for the homeless, and the proprietors are as much fun to talk to as their clothing is to buy and wear. They even gave us cookies. Bonus score: mugs! One bearing a snazzy likeness of the Bionic Woman, the other with a moving Pac-Man on the side. Excellent.
Here we met our friends Tim and Jonathan, on the same quest for the perfect Thing. A great side effect of thrifting is when it suddenly becomes a social event. We teamed up and crossed town to the Salvation Army store on Main Street. It was a bit of a let-down to go from 30 or so super-fine articles of clothing for $2 to three shirts, a record and "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie for a total of $2.45. However, Erin did abscond with a tartan plaid lunch box for 75 cents. Tim knocked over the coat rack, so we left as quickly and as quietly as possible. Many thanks to the nice lady who helped him put the stuff back up.
Our first stop in Pulaski County was at Things 'N Stuff, located on U.S. 11 between Dublin and Pulaski. Erin's assessment: "Lots of stuff, not too many things."
However, if you're in the market for artifacts to fill your space-age bachelor pad, there are many home appliances with smooth aerodynamic designs. And if you're in the market for cheap tools like screwdrivers and wrenches, this might be the place for you.
The Goodwill Store on Pulaski's East Main Street is by far the classiest place we went - name tags for all the clerks that say "Bargain Hunter's Helper" and a TV behind the counter so you can watch while they ring you up. Vickie, our Helper, was talkative and friendly, and she and Erin bonded over Guiding Light (``That Roger! He's always coming in and messing things up.'') This is the place for T-shirts with wacky sayings and pajamas. Jonathan found great shoes that actually fit; Erin found a snappy hat.
The Pulaski Salvation Army store, also on East Main Street, had just rearranged its stock, and it was much easier to find stuff than in trips past. Dave began his quest for Atari games here, picking up four or five classics for 25 cents each - Asteroids, Missile Command, the works. Erin paid the same for a snappy hat box for her snappy hat. Though we weren't in the market for furniture, a mental note was made - $5 for a sharp easy chair!
Across the street, the WBLB Blessing Station was easily the most philanthropic of the bunch. Donations were requested, but not required, and signs stating the purpose of the clothing bank hung alongside bible verses and reminders to "Take Only What You Need." We found several nice items and left a generous donation - it is, after all, the etiquette among fellow travelers.
By this time, we were plumb tuckered out. A few hours of fun, a trunk full of loot and enough cash left for dinner makes for a pretty satisfying day - and we didn't even get to Roanoke, or Hillsville, or Pearisburg, or Lynchburg - or anywhere else outside the valley.
Special note: there are big flea markets every year all over the place - don't miss out! If you've got a day to kill, jump in the car and see more of the real NRV than the road between your dorm room and the mall.
by CNB