Used goods look good to local consumers as thrift stores report boom

Friday, October 10, 2008 By Mike Copeland Tribune-Herald business editor Local thrift and consignment shops say they are bulging with shoppers looking for bargains because of the shaky economy. The Salvation Army reportedly is getting a double dose of good news as it breaks in a new location for its thrift store. “We’ve seen our sales increase by a factor of eight, and we think it’s due to the move and due to the economy,” said Russell Czajkowski, commanding officer of the Salvation Army in Waco. The Salvation Army thrift store has relocated from its downtown home of 30 years to a retail strip at Bosque Boulevard and Valley Mills Drive. “We’re selling a lot of clothing, basic furniture and, believe it or not, mattresses,” Czajkowski said. Elsewhere, the 12 thrift stores operated by Heart of Texas Goodwill have seen a 9... [read full story]