The Signal Mountain Thrift Trifecta: Clothes House, St. Timothy's, and Bachman
even shopping can be redemptive
I didn’t use to thrift because my local Goodwill had a really pathetic selection every time I checked. In my mind, thrifting was only useful for ugly Christmas sweaters or funny camp clothes. However, in early 2021, when we RV’d to Colorado for a couple months—seven Floridians horribly unprepared for snow—thrifting became essential. I quickly realized that the quality of a thrift store selection definitely correlates with the neighborhood where you’re shopping. In a wealthy, outdoorsy town like Breckenridge where people really like their outdoor gear, we stocked up on last year’s styles in excellent condition with at least an 80-90% discount…then we brought them back with us.
Since then, I’ve figured out where to thrift and almost always come out with winners. The secret: Figure out where rich people donate their clothes.
Distances
Signal Mountain, TN, where the median household income is $114,000, is a bit of a thrifting gold mine: there are three great thrift stores all within an 8-minute drive, and they’re about 15 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. I recommend going on a Friday or Saturday morning because all these stores have weird hours and those are the only times when all three are open.
Stop #1 The Clothes House (for Speed)
This small space is packed with stuff, but it’s not too hard to find good clothes and home-goods (and it certainly doesn’t take a long time to browse all applicable areas.) This is my spot for getting kid clothes in particular, and the brands are great. This store is a shining example of why it’s worth thrifting from wealthier communities; it doesn’t take long to find something worthwhile.
Stop #2 St. Timothy’s Thrift (for Price)
A short walk or drive from The Clothes House is a little cottage with the nicest employees and incredible deals, especially when they’re having a “1/2 off everything” sale. Kids get a free book every time they go in, too. It’s certainly worth a peek. I got some lovely dresses there for about $2 each. (Bonus: there’s a coffee shop called Mayfly Coffee across the street and their breakfast wraps are tasty!)
Stop #3 Bachman Community Center (for Selection)
Bachman is great because it has several rooms, one each dedicated to Kid Clothes, Adult Clothes, Home Goods, and Books, plus racks of items in the connecting hallway.
Side Quest:
Stop by Signal Point for a very, very pretty view. The parking lot is free, but it can get crowded on weekends. I love to take guests here.
Takeaway: Thrifting is Redemptive
One of the great things about thrifting is that usually the money you’re spending goes to a good cause in your community. I encourage you to ask the employees what is done with the proceeds. The Clothes House, for example, uses the proceeds to help struggling neighbors pay for rent, utilities, groceries, etc. (Just because it’s a wealthier area doesn’t mean no one has struggles, obviously.) Not only are you getting cute clothes for a few dollars, but those dollars are being directly used to bless others. Win-win-win.
Thrifting is also awesome because it’s neat to see things get a second life. I like thinking about all the work it took for those items to be made, who owned these things before me, and all the things that will happen when I’m wearing them. Someone stopped having a use for these things, but that doesn’t mean their story is over.
If you’re feeling unwanted or forgotten, your story isn’t over, either. The parts of your story that you wish you could erase might play a beautiful, surprising part in unfolding something more beautiful than you can imagine. Just because we can’t think of a way that wrongs can be made right doesn’t mean they can’t. Just because something feels like a total waste doesn’t mean it is.
Thrifting literally embodies the concept that story is powerful. A thrifted wardrobe is a particularly interesting one. Thrift loudly, friends.
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Warmly,
Hope from Trip Trifectas