Everyone loves when they can get a great deal on something and thrift stores often have some of the best deals. Monmouth is home to lots of shops where you can buy some unique items at great prices.
ISO Threads is a new store that opened up on the Southeast quadrant of the square at 73 Public Square. You can find clothes, shoes, and accessories for both men and women! Their prices are affordable and the clothes are great quality! If you haven’t checked it out already, be sure to stop by and see what they have to offer!
Jamieson Community Center sells all kinds of things. In December their store is filled with Christmas decorations, so you can get some great items are a low cost! The items in stock are always useful. I actually got my suitcase at Jamieson and it has lasted me over 10 years! It’s always fun to see what they have that may come in hand.
Mainly Mary’s has been around for a while, but I only learned about it recently. I’ve been a few times since because they have some amazing and unique items. Antiques, odds and ends, etc. You can find some really cool things. Even if you don’t need to buy anything, the items are fun to look through and can spark some great conversation.
If small local shops aren’t your thing, Galesburg has a Goodwill and Salvation Army for your thrifting needs. I personally love supporting our local small businesses.
Sadly, one of my favorite shops closed in January 2023. Strom Center is a well-known senior center and they just closed their thrift shop that was upstairs. Being across the parking lot from the high school, it was a go-to spot for thrifting during my MRHS days. The money they made at the shop went toward the senior center, so it was great to be able to support our seniors while finding some good deals. All of their items are being donated to local charities and thrift shops, so our local thrift shops may see more inventory!
I love to go thrift shopping because you never know what you’ll find. I have a friend who lives by Chicago and every time we’re together, we go thrift shopping. When I visit her, she likes to take me to Goodwill, but when she visits Monmouth, I like to take her to our small local thrift shops.
If your closet gets too full from your thrifting, you can always donate what you don’t want or need anymore. When everyone went through their closets in 2020, a lot of thrift stores stopped accepting donations because they had plenty of items. A lot of places have reopened donations, so just call ahead to your favorite donation spot and see when you can drop of your donations.
Next time you need some new clothes, furniture, toys, etc., you can check out some thrift stores. Items may be used, but a lot of things are still in good condition. Save some money and get something good at a thrift shop. Thrifting is the new shopping.
by Chamber Ambassadors Konstanze Fowler of Security Savings Bank
