Welcome to the fourth (!) post about my new store ReThreads. To learn more about the store, check out the other recent posts here, here, and here.

Every time someone learns that I am opening a reuse shop they inevitably ask one big question:

Where do you get your starting inventory?

This is by far the most common question people ask, and, in fact, it was one of the first questions I had when I was considering opening this shop. I was afraid of a Catch 22: I can’t advertise Bring me your items to consign when the store is totally empty – can I? I needed a starting inventory that was not entirely consignment-based.

Turns out, it’s not hard to acquire stuff! For me, a near-obsession with saving things from the landfill + a pickup truck = acquiring a whole lot of other people’s stuff.

I probably don’t need to tell you that there are great deals to be found at yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. All of these sources have formed some of my starting inventory. But here’s an even better one: an amazing place called the Goodwill outlet store. I visited the one in Richmond, VA (they have them all over the country) for the first time a few weeks ago and went home with a nearly full pickup truck for only $77. Why so cheap? At the outlet stores they sell clothing and housewares by the pound. Since I bought more than 20 pounds of clothing (probably closer to 50 pounds) I got the rate of $1.20/lb. Housewares were about $.60/lb and books were $.25 ea. After digging through huge plastic bins of clothing, I bought everything that looked to be in good condition and potentially saleable at my store. This photo is of the huge Goodwill Outlet store – grey bins of household items visible behind one of my two overflowing shopping carts in the front of the picture.

Some other starting inventory comes from friends who have graciously offered to pass things along to me for consignment if I’m willing to take it off their hands now (rather than wait until the store opens). Sure! This way I can start the process of labeling/tracking my inventory, and I have something to put on the racks before the store opens! Then there are other people who simply give me stuff because they want to be done with it, not expecting anything in return – a most welcome donation!

There are other sources too: Craigslist for bags of children’s clothing and toys, other consignment shops for items I buy with intention to wear myself but ultimately decide it’s best if I pass it on to someone who will love it more. As of this weekend, I have yet another new source: estate sales that Mark and I are running. But that’s a whole other story – I smell another FAQ question!

No matter where I acquire things, after I bring my loot home, I clean it if it needs cleaning and pack it into a labeled box. You’ll notice that I use banana boxes – I love them for packing! Not only are they super sturdy and fit a good amount of stuff, but Mark can get all he wants I want for free from Trader Joe’s!

At this point, my best guess is that I have at least 50 boxes (LARGE boxes) full of starting inventory. I’ve filled up a 10×15 storage unit, in addition to our entire second bedroom (what used to be my office) at our apartment. Yeah, I’d say I’m ready to go.

Okay, enough about clothing inventory, what about clothing racks and display tables?

Ever since I put the word out that I was starting up this store, the items I needed just started coming my way. Both in terms of inventory to resell and well as store fixtures such as clothing racks, shelving, and display tables. Thanks to the power of Craigslist and right place/right time happenstance, I’ve found businesses in the process of closing down who will gladly sell me the fixtures I need at a deeply discounted price. Thus far I’ve acquired the following items used: round clothing racks, wall shelving, a shoe rack, a display counter, mannequins, fitting room curtains, a cash register, and a credit card machine. The point: My mission is about reuse. Every aspect of ReThreads reflects that.

This is a photo of my storage unit when it was only about half full. It has since become nearly impossible to even open the door without something precariously balanced falling on the unsuspecting victim friend I’ve roped into helping me. And I thought this size storage unit was too big at first!

Stay tuned for an upcoming post to explain how I figured out just how many clothing racks and display tables I would need for the store! You won’t want to miss it. It involves 3D design software and lots of images.

This post was made possible by you, supportive friends and family. No, I’m not getting paid to write blog posts these days, but I am gratefully accepting donations (really, advance purchases of store credit) for the marketing campaign for my new shop ReThreads.