Five bucks can go a long way these days, especially if you're savvy enough to know a good deal when you see it. And thanks to a recent location change, Oberlin's Senior Thrift store is a lot more visible than it used to be. Just grab a paper bag, tack on 29 cents tax and you're ready to shop.
Senior Thrift manager Lila Ann ("just call me Lee") Tanaka has been at the store for almost a year. "I took the job because when I first moved to Oberlin, I used to shop at thrift shops," Tanaka said, "and I always thought it would be fun to work at one. I figured I'd like it, and I'd be more likely to show up!" Tanaka laughed. Most of all, she said, she loves her job because of the people she gets to meet. There are Senior Thrift regulars, of course, and Tanaka knows them all by name. "Once they've been in here more than three times, you get to know them," she said.
In the old days, Senior Thrift was the diamond in the rough of the First Merit Bank building on Main Street. Sure, the store kept modest hours and was entirely hidden from view save for a small sign in the bank vestibule advertising something to the extent of "Senior Thrift, Basement Level." The old store was bigger than the current East College location, but often smelled musty. Of course, that was part of its charm, along with the many other quirks of the store. Hidden amongst the racks and racks of wrinkly clothes, good finds were just waiting to be taken home to begin a new life cycle of wearing. When there's so much to choose from, there's always something for everyone.
In fact, Senior Thrift receives more clothes than it can handle, and it actually had to diminish the number of shipments it accepts. "We have tons of stuff donated," said Tanaka. "We had to cut back on our donation days to Saturday only. We just had too much stuff." Student volunteers go through the shipments every Saturday. Senior Thrift tries to be selective and keep clothes that are clean and in good repair. But often, there are so many clothes donated - by townspeople and students alike - that overloads are frequent, and a good deal of the donated clothes are issued to Good Will and local churches.
Just as much as they donate old clothes, students buy them back. "I think the clothes there are great," said junior Hillary Elwood. "The new store is a little smaller so there's a little less room to browse, but they have a lot of good stuff."
"A good portion of our customers are students," Tanaka said. "When they're not here, it's the townspeople that shop, and business is slow." But business is picking up now that the store is more visible. And Tanaka is smiling. "I just want people to know that I think we are the best place for good bargains."
The Price is Right: The recently relocated Senior Thrift offers a plethora of inexpensive clothing. (photo by Lauren Viera)
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Copyright © 2000, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 128, Number 15, February 25, 2000
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