“How to Start a Thrift Store”
Comment Page 2

  • Gemma said on September 21, 2013
    Calgary Alberta, Canada. interesting to open the store.
  • LeVonda G, said on October 14, 2013
    Hello everyone, I have truly read some amazing stories on this post I was in tears reading some on how God have moved in your situation. I to am trying to open a thrift store. I want to make nice clothes and other items affordable for families with low and no income. I do not plan to turn anyone away even if they have no money. It hurts me to see children in school being teased or just nor having the basics and my desire is to change that as much as I can. I want to use this thrift store to be a blessing to others, I want this to be the start of something worldwide. I want to open my own homeless shelter and domestic violence outreach org. I want to youth ministry and yes I do think a thrift store fits into all of those things. I have a vision and I know this is the season for MANIFESTATION!!!!!with no money to give and not really knowing where to start in the physical I know God is going to make a way for this to happen and I am speaking it in to existence soon. I just wanted to encourage and each of you and do not give up on this dream our community needs us. I PRAY YOU ALL BLESSINGS AND MUCH SUCCESS AND PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. I happen on this page just clicking on links so I may not find it again but I am glad I did. if anyone would like to contact me please do 75gist@gmail.com
  • gorra92 beginner adviser said on October 29, 2013
    I have read everyone's comments and decided to let you know what I am dealing with right now. We are opening a thrift store. We will sign the lease Nov. 1st. This is what we have done and is planning on doing so far......
    1. Get inventory. My garage is full, my house is full, 3 storage units being paid monthly....Not cheap. ( I feel like a hoarder)...lol
    2. Find a good location. dealing with the property manager trying to figure out a deal that meets both our needs.
    3. Location is off main road next to a grocery store. rent is 1,100.00 a month for 1200sqf. + 1100.00 deposit
    4. get business license. State tax ID #, Insurance on building and supplies.
    5. Get credit card machine (Free with % taken out per sale)
    6. Get business phone, Business cards, Open sign, hours of operation sign.
    7. Order Lighted box sign for store front...a must with lease agreement. ($2,000.00) Plus get permit from town to allow the sign to be put up and inspected. Cost $$
    8. Hangers, clothing racks, shelving, signs for inside, pricing gun, clothing price tags, Cash register,Counter for register, Etc.
    9. Advertising, Google business (to put your business online directory) Yahoo business. Putting down name of business, address, phone number, etc.
    10. Get internet...to help price some more valuable items...some may go for more selling online.
    11. Turn on Electric...300.00 deposit.
    12. Turn on water...no deposit but a 40.00 turn on fee
    13. Grand opening advertising
    14. Keeping track of all purchases for business.
    There is a lot to plan for a business...its not $500.00 buy some stuff, get a building, open and make money....if it was that simple everyone would be able to open a business. There is a lot of planning and patience, a lot of research, a lot of hauling off trash to the dump, a lot of gas and time spent, a lot of phone calls. I am not trying to discourage anyone from opening a Thrift store at all but just want to let everyone know what it has cost so far and the time involved in doing this.
    I have my good days where I say this is a great business and I'm ready to start right now. then there are days where the fear comes and I think...well maybe it will fail and we will be stuck with a lease, maybe the location is not good enough. We are in it this far and I tell myself that if it fails it fails...there is nothing we can do about that. Total cost so far $10,286.31. I hope this helps everyone. email me if you have any questions at gorra92@yahoo.com

    gorra92@yahoo.com || Expert

  • SEVERINO TAGUINOD said on November 12, 2013
    Our Greetings, We are very interested to open a thrift shop a non profit as a charity base to support missionaries/preacher, Bible study centre/church and less fortune person anywhere and our community in the Philippines. However, we don't have enough amount to open in Britis Colhumbia, Canada, Please advice us... Many thanks and may God Bless generous support. your Severino Taguinod. Email:provident_mission@yahoo.com
  • loretta aranbar said on December 12, 2013
    For 3 years I've been thinking of opening a 99 cents store (start up or franchise) and/or Thrift shop, I already have the name trade marked and have accumulated lots of merchandise for resale. I have some concerns about
    1) location and
    2) my personal time limitations toward this great well thought out venture the location concern is ; my husband and I hv a semi commercial blding in NY which has an empty space for the last 3 yrs, I had planned to use that space (small 200 sq ft) to open the store but I'm in a mortgage negotiation with the lender... my questions would be Should I wait n see what happens with loan restriction or start making plans to open the store in that space?
    the limitation on my time are as a result of me having to help out my husband on occasions, this has made me realize that i'd do better off with a partner who can offer time, maybe legal and/or financial help and mentoring as well... If anyone is seriously interested please contact me at the info below
    FYI the immediate start up plan includes for a second location in Fl and the long term vision is to franchise... Any help, support, partnership interest etc pls contact me at : Aranibar0511@gmail.com or 1917 417 5065
  • baddy2 said on December 12, 2013
    i'm been researching starting up my own thrift store and am currently looking for funding and location in dallas tx 75229 area if anyone can help pls email me at bonniesam@outlook.com thank you for your time and god bless all and merry christmas to all
  • Leonard Mattingly said on January 16, 2014
    Hi everyone! I have a thrift shop and sale clothes lamps collected items thing for hunting plates along with glasses and different other items so please call me 316-619-1995 or E-mail me uni3394@yahoo.com thank you.
  • Ronda Rains said on February 10, 2014
    I am opening of a thrift shop in Louisiana what lic. do I need and where can I get my stock please help.
  • Dwan Robinson said on July 27, 2014
    Hi everyone! If you are looking for inventory for your thrift store me @onedreamoneteam@gmail.com also i have large clothes donation boxes for sale this is a great way to never run out of inventory. Thank you:)
  • Anne Ramsey said on September 16, 2014
    I am the president of a 501 (C)(3) non profit that rescues and places abandoned, abused and exploited companion pets into loving, forever homes. We are looking to partner with another animal rescue non profit to open a resale boutique (thrift store) and cat cafe that supports our mission within the So CA area. If you think your non profit may be interested, please contact me at: acr@barkandmeowfoundation.org. Please; serious inquiries only
  • Janet Jansen said on December 1, 2014
    Hello - If you are interested in starting a thrift store in Toronto or Mississauga, Ontario please drop me a line as I am looking to build a team - there is power in numbers!
  • Ken in AZ said on December 31, 2014
    Great comments on this site. Has anyone come across any good books, websites or associations on the topic (that are relatively current)
  • Becky said on January 31, 2015
    I would like to open a thrift store *but i dont want to solicit help by using religion* I know of a few for profit stores that seem to do just that to open up from first item to continued donations. over and over again then price things so ridiculously high its not helping the community they claim to be open for how do i do this and sleep at night and be able to be a business
  • Trina W said on April 29, 2015
    I own a 4500 sq ft thrift store in mesa az. I am a for profit business. I have been in business for 4 years and was thinking of getting out of the business. my store is packed full of inventory as I buy lots of unique things to make my store more original. I would like to sell my store out right. I have just recently considered turning my shop into a non profit I just am not sure exactly what to do or how to do it. can I get some advise.
  • Tony Reyes said on May 7, 2015
    I have been in the thrift store industry for over 25 years, both in the for profit and non-profit areas. I have assisted a non-profit organization in Pasadena, Ca open their own store five years ago and have been profitable since month one. We are a faith based Christian organization that has raised nearly $500,000 for our Christian organization beneficiary and continue to experience tremendous growth. After my many years in the profit thrift industry I have realized what God has called me to do with the knowledge and experience I have learned over the years. I would love to consult with anyone that is serious about business for ministry or anyone that has a store already but needs help improving their store and profitability. Please contact me via email and lets chat. tony.reyes@verizon.net
  • jen said on May 11, 2015
    when starting a thrift store what should your mission be i know i wanna help people is that a good mission
  • Mary McCoy said on September 23, 2015
    I am in the process of opening a missions thrift store where a portion of all Proceeds go to World missions and those who have a special need in the church.My question is can this Kind of business obtain a small business license and called doing business as?I don't have the place for The business yet,I am still looking.I do know it will be in wake county North Carolina.Thank you for your help.
  • Mary McCoy said on September 23, 2015
    Hello,I forgot my email address.Subject starting thrift in wake county nc.My email Address is rocquel23@gmail.com
  • Qadria Shabazz said on March 24, 2019
    I wanted to see the answers to some of these questions; where are they?

Your Comment

(All the above fields are required.)