Thrifty spending, nifty clothing The ultimate guide to spending a little and getting a lot

Author: Sarah Shaikh

Store: Neat Repeats Resale Shop

Address: 3 Bakery Lane (next to Taste of India)

Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.



Those of you who are frequent lunch goers at Taste of India or even Tully and Marie's must notice the hot pink sign pointing to the underground (literally, not in a Mafioso sort of way) thrift store, Neat Repeats. Settled comfortably in this little underground haven, Neat Repeats sells used clothing donated from around Addison County. Their selection transitions like a department store and follows the changes by season. But if you missed that couture jacket last spring, don't worry - you might be able to find it again this season. The store offers an array of clothes for men, women and children, including a room filled with only denim. You can also find many miscellaneous items for your home or dorm room - from food processors to wine glasses.

Open since 1990, Neat Repeats is a non-profit organization that works to serve the financial needs of Addison County. Every month the organization reads the letters written by members of Addison County requesting grants for everything from project independence and family emergencies to grants for school. Neat Repeats is solely run by volunteers who are assisted by three part-time paid employees who are extremely helpful. This month, Neat Repeats funded 206 grants that totaled to about $110,000. Co-director Linda Waterman said, "We would be really pleased to see more students as customers, as well as have them bring their unwanted items here." So next time you are having curry for lunch, make sure to stop by Neat Repeats and pick up something fun!


Store: Round Robin Thrift Shop

Address: 2 Park Street (next to Sheldon Museum)

Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. -
4:30 p.m.



Following a major expansion process over the last two years, Round Robin seems to have found the size that is "just right" for them. Offering a wide variety of clothes for men and women, as well as a large selection of children and infants clothing, their inventory changes seasonally, but there are two major transitions each year form summer to fall and from winter to spring. The merchandise is all dated form its time of arrival in the store and is rotated every six weeks. Items come mainly from Addison County and are in the forms of donations and consignments. Director Robin Huestis said, "Six weeks is a good amount of time for items to remain on the shelves given the amount of merchandise we receive all the time." Round Robin was started in 1975 and is owned by Porter Medical Center. It is run by around 60 volunteers. All the proceeds are overseen by the auxiliary board of the hospital and help to pay for equipment and additions to the hospital as well as nursing school scholarships. When visiting the Sheldon Museum, definitely stop by Round Robin.



Store: Classy Closets Rainbow Collection

Address: 21 MacIntyre Lane (next to BevCo)

Hours of Operation: Monday- Saturday
(except Wednesday) 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.


Next time you are grabbing a pizza from Ramunto's or a 30 from BevCo, wander into Classy Closets Rainbow Collection. You can find an assortment of clothing for men and women as well as clothing and wigs for that costume party you have to go to next weekend in Pearsons. The store is known for its color-coded pricing system, which follows the colors of the rainbow - from $2 items marked with red to $7 items marked with violet. The merchandise comes from wholesale used clothing vendors, retail stores and other thrift stores. The store has recently expanded their collection to include jeans from North Carolina as well as more costume and party items. Owner Michael Glidden said, "This spread of who we purchase from allows us to get a variety of sizes and styles." Classy Closets was started two years ago by Glidden as a privately owned business. "I had some friends looking to expand their business and I grabbed the opportunity to get involved," said Glidden. So next time you are in the BevCo area, which I know most everyone will be come Friday, stop in Classy Closets Rainbow Collection and find something classy to wear out Friday night.