Arc opens its first thrift bins
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Arc's bins are open for business. Photo: Robert Sanchez/Axios
Arc Thrift Stores opened its first-ever outlet yesterday.
Why it matters: It's a big deal if you're in the thrifting game.
- Rather than the typical Arc experience searching racks of clothing and perusing home goods stacked on shelves, shoppers dig in plastic bins for their treasures.
And forget price tags. Buyers pay by the pound for everything they grab.
- Which can mean huge discounts.
Fun fact: OGs call thrifting outlets "the bins."
The big picture: Arc's Hooker Street location — three blocks west of Federal Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue — brings competition to a market Goodwill dominates.
- Goodwill has three metro-area outlets and another in Colorado Springs.
Driving the news: About 1,000 people were expected at Arc's grand opening yesterday.
- Nearly 100 people lined up outside the store by 8:45am, and 60 shoppers were already inside.
- Some waited two hours or more for access.
By the numbers: Clothes, shoes and purses cost $1.99 per pound.
- Housewares and electronics are 99 cents per pound.
- Books, CDs, DVDs, records and stuffed animals are 25 cents each.
- Furniture ranges from $5–$15.
Caveat: You can't return anything.
What's inside: I counted 36 red plastic bins overflowing with clothes and 12 bins with shoes, home goods, books, stuffed toys, CDs and DVDs.
- After about a half-hour, employees rolled out fresh bins with sheets over the goods. Customers lined up, ripped off the sheets and got to pickin'.
- One employee on a megaphone exclaimed, "The thrill of the hunt!"
I took a spin through the store and saw Levi's, some Madewell jeans and a couple Rails dresses.
- Shoppers were polite and friendly. The checkout line moved quickly.
Caitlin Dewolf, 38, was the first customer.
- She paid $28 for a Moroccan lamp, silk scarves and some other finds.
The bottom line: "I just grabbed stuff and ran," she told me.