Looking to spruce up your summer wardrobe? Has a year of staying safer-at-home made you ready to upgrade the look of your space or maybe it’s just time to switch up those lounge-pants?
Well, it’s that exciting time again- Come shop with us on Thursday 4/22, Friday 4/23 or Saturday 4/24 (or all three days!) from 12:00PM – 5:00PM and fill a bag for cheap! (scroll down for special discount options).
Heads up, come early– There’s typically a line outside at opening time for folks wanting to get first dibs on this twice-a-year sale.(Or you can wait until 2-3pm if you’d rather shop more leisurely). New items fresh outta quarantine will still be added daily to refresh the racks/displays, so you’ll still have a good selection to choose from and stuff into bags ;).
How it works– Grab a basket or cart, and load it up with items you love. Once you are ready to check out, you’ll get shopping bags to fill with as many eligible items as you can!
How full can you go?? You’ll just need to use one hand to close each bag and lift it. Then you’re good to go. The all-time record is 62 items in a bag (mostly media items) and another person stuffed over 40 clothing items into ONE BAG!! So get ready to do some major shopping, early holiday gift hunting, or just some plain old secondhand retail therapy!
Staff and volunteers are available to provide answers to questions as well as bags to fill once you’re done loading up a basket. And due to our faster, tag-less clothing process this year, there are more items than ever eligible for this deal! (we’re getting seriously speedy at launching clothing onto the salesfloor these days!)
More good news: If an item you find is too large to possibly fit in a bag, or not an eligible tag color, it will still be 25% OFF!! So EVERYTHING in the store is on sale, even if it’s not fill-a-bag worthy.
Have more questions before you come down? No problem! Just give us a ring, anytime from Noon- 5pm Thursday-Saturday and we’ll do our best to answer your q’s. 303.444.8088
Special Discount- Three ways to get $15 bags for only $10 each!!
We added these special discount options for our thriftiest of patrons, choose one option per Bag Sale day:
Snap a pic of your fab-best of finds for the day, and tag us in that post to your Social Media account (Facebook, Instagram). Show the cashier your completed post. Write a review of your day at ARES online (Google, Yelp, Facebook etc.) on the day you are shopping with us, and just show the cashier your posting (can do up to three separate reviews, to get the deal all three days, if you like!) No social or online review accounts? That’s cool, we dig your off-the-grid style. Ask a staff member for an analog discount option, and we’ll come up with something for ya!
What Small Businesses Need from You Right Now
First, I’d like to express my appreciation for the increased patience you all have shown us when shopping and donating recently.
I realize any challenges we have as a business, are minimal compared to those who unfortunately got sick with Covid-19, so there is no intention of minimizing the actual suffering of families affected. But we really are grateful for your understanding/empathy of our new added working conditions.
Between the extra steps of having to both quarantine and then unload donations this past year, purchasing, refilling, and utilizing sanitizers, masks, thermometers, plexiglass barriers, handling bleach water bottles all day, etc…due to Public Health dept. protocols, taking solitary lunchbreaks from one another [while coping with increased workloads as we await our full staff to return to the workforce], we’re definitely operating at less than 100% energy these days.
The vast majority of you have been so thoughtful, concerned, helpful, generous (I definitely owe a whole huge post of thank-yous, once this small business disaster of a pandemic is finally over), and unbelievably patient as we’ve, at times, messily navigated our way through this past year at ARES. I just wanted you to know that it is noted, and very appreciated by myself and our team. The pleasant interactions and genuine positivity you have been expressing with us is a frequent element of conversation as we’ve wrapped up our workdays recently, so for what it’s worth, it’s meant a lot to us. So yes, please keep that up, as it is soooo helping us get through to the other side of these challenging times.
And, if I may be so forward, another great way to help is if you would consider the opportunities of our upcoming sale dates throughout the next couple of weeks, to introduce new friends and family members to our thrift shop on Spruce (that hides out right smack in the center of town). You might be surprised to know how many people living in Boulder, still have yet to drop in. Or if you can’t think of anyone to shop with, please continue to share our emails and/or social media posts with your people, as every little bit helps us greatly!
It’s gonna take the whole village to offset the excessive decreases in revenue over the past year and we’ve got some bills to pay, so bringing a few extra buddies or sharing our sales online in the next few weeks, is a huge help to our sustainability. We’d love to finish this year stronger than ever, ready to put Covid times securely into the past, as I’m sure you all would love to, as well.
Still stuck trying to find a unique present for a friend, loved one or in-law ( 😉 )? Yet everything you’re finding is sooo darn pricey? Well, you need to get your hands on the best selection your secondhand shop has to offer and start thrifting like a pro.
The same tried and true basic rules for a successful secondhand shopping excursion applies to the holidays as well.
Here are two of the most important tips:
Learn the Sales: That means signing up for rewards, getting on texting or email lists, and checking in with staff as you shop to be certain you’re not missing out on any big discounts. This makes even the highest end items (and possibly nicest of gifts) much more attainable for the thrifty budget. Some stores share this info on their website and social media as well, so go find them there to stay in the loop.
Be Early: Nothing can increase your odds of snagging that perfect gift and help you wrap up your gift list quicker, than catching newly-added items to the salesfloor. Simply ask staff when new items are added to the mix and come by at those times. That exquisite piece of jewelry or the brand new North Face, Carhartt, or Nike jacket with the tags still attached are going to be long gone if you’re several hours late to the shopping party.
✔️ Bonus Tip for the Thriftiest of Gift-Givers: Arrange any or all of your gift exchanges to take place days or weeks after the holiday if possible. Once you’ve set a later date, the pressure is off for scrambling and settling for something that’s just meh. The competition for the best items is out the door, and once the calendar hits January, you’ve now entered what I call the Thriftmas Miracle Season. As more and more people are spending increased time at home, the urge to purge prevails, and any and all gifts that were not exactly a fit are quickly offloaded to secondhand shops. There’s never a greater selection of freshly packaged, ready-to-go, brand spanking new items available for a fraction of what someone just spent on them weeks earlier. Shop at Thriftmas time in January and February for your later gift-exchanges, or just snag the deals for next year and save the stress.
Now onto the list to up your gift-giving game on a budget.
The Top 10 Presents to Get Secondhand:
Candles are a widely appreciated gift to bring some much-needed light to dark winter nights!
10.Candles– Many thrift shops are inundated with candles. Here in Boulder, it is not uncommon to find a selection of unused jar candles, pillar candles with unique holders, or boxes of standard tapered, votive or tealights. An easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy gift that most anyone would like!
9. Boxed Craft Projects– A variety of sealed-packaged items hide out in the Arts/Crafts dept. at your favorite thrift shops. So many untouched projects get donated for both children and adults (picture items like create your own scrapbooks, design a Zen garden, bracelet-making kits, etc…) All unopened and ready for the perfect recipient!
8.Ties/Scarves– Most secondhand shops receive hundreds of these items each month and some surely still have their original tags attached. A scarf with a beautiful design/feel can either make an excellent gift, or be added to spruce up any packaging you’re giving. And finding a professional looking, high-style tie for that office-goer on your list is almost always an easy find.
7.Christmas décor items– For the person on your list who really, really loves holidays, they’ll dig a wreath, series of ornaments, or that cute silly reindeer set you find while thrifting. Keep in mind, that different neighborhoods donate different calibers of this stuff.
Unique pieces of Santa décor are highly sought after by Christmas decorating enthusiasts.
I’m not much of a holiday person myself, but I do know what people LOVE to find when they’re thrifting. My pro tip for gift-giving to a holiday lover is- Santas. People like really, really go a little nutty when they find cool, unique or well-made Santas (the non-living kind). Pretty much anything Santa works: Ornaments, wooden Santas, outdoor ones, standing Santas to put near a tree. I may or may not have witnessed some fights over the years over a good Santa, so yeah, those would probably be an easy gift-giving win for you to find while thrifting.
6.Lotiony, bath itemy, or perfumey gift baskets- These are locked and loaded to just slap a bow on and hand on over. Check the scent though! It needs to smell great for this to be a win, and if you score this from my store, it’s sure to have been checked to not expire soon; however that’s always an important area to double check so there are no issues and the gift works great as intended.
5.Board Games– 10-15% of the board games handed off to thrift stores are still newly-packaged. They’re untouched and sure to have all parts and instructions still included. It’s almost too easy, where your only challenge will be to pick a fun one for the correct age range.
4.Clothing– So much, at least in Boulder anyway, is donated with manufacturers tags still intact. Tags attached means that no one needs to know you didn’t get that gorgeous Free People top straight from Nordstrom’s, if you have say, a family member you’re buying for who has yet to come around to the thrill of the thrift life.
There is a great chance that with a couple of quick-hit shopping trips to check the racks of your fave secondhand shop, you should find items that are easy crowd pleasers (brand new athletic wear, PJs, cute sweaters, or accessory set in plain, likeable colors). Just avoid the bold/ wild choices unless you are confident you know the person’s style well. This way the gift has a much higher chance for sustainability’s sake, of being appreciated and of course well-loved.
3.Sealed-Package Appliances/ Electronics– Think wedding / birthday / holiday gift overflow. So many occasions result in excess gift items donated to a local thrift store. While the item itself may be great, and exactly what the person on your gift list might love; the bride and groom or original recipient may simply have duplicates or not enough counter space for that high-end home espresso machine or Vitamix. It’s now your job to check in frequently to catch those unopened thrift scores hitting the salesfloor of your favorite secondhand shop and win the holidays!
2. When in gifty doubt, secondhand vases will help you out- Thrift shops are havens for these bad boys, and with a quick scrub down once you find a cool one, they are the perfect foundation for the easiest put-a-smile-on-someone’s-face gift ever, second only to a rescue dog.
Fresh flowers in a stylish recycled, reusable vase is a great way to brighten someone’s holiday!
Simply pop by your fave mom and pop florist or small business grocery store, grab a fresh flower bouquet (or two!) and add them into an appropriately-sized vase you scored while thrifting. That’s it! Just pick a cool or classy vase, give it a scrub and voila, a gift that is sure to please while brightening up the indoors this winter.
1. Grab a unique plant pot or dish, terracotta or ceramic etc. – This tried and true gift is about as simple as it gets and you don’t even want to be friends with whomever wouldn’t love this one ;). Add a Christmas cactus (bonus points if it’s flowering) or series of 3-5 small succulents to your thrifted containers and there you have it. It will be so fresh and cute, your only concern will be not wanting to hand it over when the time comes for your gift exchange.
OK, those are this year’s biggest gift-giving wins I came up with- so let me hear what you think:Would any of these work for someone on your list? Is there an even better thrifty giftable you have found or are on the hunt for? – Go ahead and let me know in the comments below.
Sad Fact: > 2000 pitbull-labeled dogs are euthanized in the U.S. each day.* Barking Mad Animal Rescue (BMAR) is a no-kill animal rescue in S.E. Texas that rehabs and re-homes them instead! The operation was struck hard this year by two separate hurricanes/tropical storms, leaving many of the kennels needing urgent and costly repairs. 💵 🔨 CJ who runs the rescue, literally takes zero days off. Like never. 💖 That’s 365 days yearly of working to save pets dumped off by highways, left behind by owners who move, dogs left on chains without care, overbred dogs cast away after they cannot produce more litters, dogs used as bait to train animals to fight and with other challenges. We are unbelievably fortunate here in Boulder CO, as our community is both willing and able to properly care for the dogs so many of us love. 🐕 💞 BMAR however, works amongst a much different community. And CJ and her crew are the real deal down there, saving lives each and every day without much if any support from locals. 💗 So this year, for Giving Tuesday, we request that you consider the folks struggling against the odds to stop the insanity of so many perfectly great dogs being bred and euthanized, in a region of our very own country. CJ and team are looking for any support that can be given, and ask for as little as a $5 contribution to help them keep everyone fed- dogs and maybe even the awesome volunteers too!
Their Paypal link is here: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/220389 Thank you so much for reading this far, and I appreciate each of you who has a soft spot for helping others. ❤️🐶 -Jennifer
Please take a brief moment, to reflect and think about…
As more and more small local businesses close permanently, what will Boulder be like in 2021?
We will be asking this question to our customers in the final weeks of 2020, and sharing your responses with our followers in your own words. We are certain, however, the people whom we serve from SPAN, Harvest of Hope Pantry, Mental Health Partners, and other agencies throughout our Boulder community would be harmed without ARES Thrift Store remaining in its existing capacity.
We know from talking with you that 2020 has been uniquely challenging for many- parents, students, medical professionals, teachers, essential workers, those who became sick or are jobless etc… Like so many, those of us in small businesses and charitable health and human service work, are reaching deep for new ideas, practices, and possible solutions to the looming financial woes this upcoming winter is set to unleash on us.
If you are someone concerned about community assistance, diverting an average of 800,000 poundsevery year from landfills, or straight-up enjoy finding affordable but amazing thrift finds, how can you help?
Here are FOUR ways- 1. SHOP WITH US: We love our loyal customer supporters, and want to reward you when you make the pandemic trek to shop with us. We are giving away Visa Gift Card Holiday Shopping Sprees! Earn raffle tickets during our three most exciting days in November:
Opt to thrift Black Friday 11/27, shop with us 12-5pm before holiday shopping at big-box or online retailers and get at least 25% OFF All items (with an option to receive 50% OFF, see cashier for details).
Small Business Saturday is 11/28, a day for visiting your local Boulder independent businesses, including ARES and earn more raffle tickets for a holiday spree (and still get 25-50% off).
Our favorite holiday, Secondhand Sunday is 11/29 and We’ll Be Open! We celebrate Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, and contemplate letting go of things that no longer serve us to bring joy to others (before holidays bring new gifts), with storewide savings of 25-50% OFF again!
This is your last day to enter our raffle with easy ways to get tickets (see below), winners announced via email by midnight.
2. FOLLOW US: You are already part of our email list, thank you! For other ways to keep in touch, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (and our @thrift.in.motion IG page to shop with us on Cyber Monday) for exclusive updates and even more ways to save and contribute to keep ARES going strong into 2021. And please consider sharing this email or our posts with your friends to expand our support network (even outside of Boulder helps)!
3. DONATE ITEMS WITH US: There are so many reasons to declutter, but most of all, it is the backbone of our giving program: those in need locally, obtain vouchers from partnering agencies to shop with us for free. With colder, snowier weather setting in, we are in need of items to meet immediate and urgent needs: Socks, blankets, coats, hats, gloves, boots and tents are some of the most needed by our clients this time of year. Donate whatever you are able to give, as proceeds fund our charitable efforts and operational expenses. We take items in re-sellable condition whenever we are open (Thur-Sat 12-5pm) around back at our Donation Center (please ring doorbell).
And many new and in-box items make great holiday gifts for those having a hard time making ends meet right now, to provide a joyous holiday for their families during this crazy year.
4. GIVE IF YOU ARE ABLE: If you’re able to financially support our relief efforts to maintain our ability to offer thrifty goods and services to people in the local community, and offset our lack of revenue for three months of store closure and several months of vastly reduced business hours, you can find our current fundraiser here: GoFundMe and thank you so much! In the winter months we will also be collecting change in donation boxes near the register for other charities we care about, and invite you to donate in person when you shop with us.
ARES cares about Public Health – Safer at Home Level Red
We are continuing and expanding our cleaning and sanitization procedures, and following county and state health orders we are reducing our store occupancy. Thank you for your continued cooperation, wearing nose and mouth coverings inside, and as always, help yourself to our hand sanitizer on your way in and out!
We definitely understand that folks are hesitant these days to come out and shop in the manner they did prior to this year, however if there is something we could do to allow you to get in and out more quickly, or pay by phone and run an item outside for you to pick up curbside, just give a call during any of our open hours and we’ll do our best to accommodate if it’s a request that’s possible.
We are looking to be here in and for the community for many years serving up a unique and fun experience for you. But we rely solely on your health and community support to do so, so please stay well and continue mindfully showing up for us mom-and-pop shops that you care about in town, in whichever way fits best for you.
Thank you from myself and our small but mighty team, – Jennifer Greany Owner/ Manager
If you are taking a pass on the Halloween festivities, that’s pretty understandable considering this year- simply skip this message OR just come on in for the Sale on Everything this Friday or Saturday- (25% OFF your purchase 10/30 & 10/31*– or check our latest social media post for how to double that and get 50% OFF every single thing you buy)!
However… Costumes are fun, even the bad ones (Lol to the Haunted Quilt man from 2017)!
So here is my tippety top tip for finding a costume you Really Actually Like in 10 minutes or less (For Reals! We help people with this strategy every year and it definitely works):
All you need to do is lose the notion that you need to have the perfect idea for a costume first before shopping.
Just swing by the thrift shop, peruse the Halloween racks until you find an interesting piece that you love the look or fit of. Once you have that piece, check in with myself, my really creative team (who LOVE making Halloween costumes) or just head online to Google if you’re shy.
Let us come up with characters or names for possible costumes that you could be with that piece you’ve found and Voila! you are now on the hunt for one maybe two more items typically to finish the look and you’re on your way out the door, actually really liking what you’ve found and feeling pumped for dressing up.
It can really be easy once you start with an item you are digging, and go from there.
*limit one incentive per person with the sale
Now, because it’s 2020, here’s a few more things to consider to help everyone have a safe, happy Halloween shopping trip:
Keeping safe while pandemic shopping: wear a face covering, wash hands frequently, launder and/or sanitize items before you use them.
Avoid touching/ trying on items when possible or that you are not actually interested in: Yes, you can certainly try clothes on right now (sorry not masks or wigs), but try to eyeball for size the easy to fit items that would just slip on. Once tried on, if clothing doesn’t fit, we’ll quarantine those items away.
Don’t get too lost in the racks: There’s over 800 new additions added to our Halloween racks for this week. It’s easy to get excited when there’s many fun new things to look at, however, keep in mind that more patience is needed to leave that extra 6ft+ distance between shoppers.
Visit ARES this Thurs, Fri, or Sat from 12-5pm: Our Halloween items are front and center when you come in. Shop the other aisles for any essential pieces needed to accessorize! We’re here and ready to help you get in and out quickly with a look you’ll actually want to wear 🙂
And please accept our sincerest gratitude for shopping with us, prior to visiting a big box store, or solely buying your items online. It’s sooo appreciated <3
We look forward to seeing you soon! – Jennifer and team ARES
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If are able to support our relief efforts to maintain our ability to offer thrifty goods and services to people in the local community, and offset our lack of revenue for three months due to store closure, please click here: GoFundMe and thank you so much!
In response to email communications, some of you have reached out asking how you can support ARES during this time of straight-up struggle for our small business.
First of all, thank you very much, we are really grateful for the help that’s been offered. We know a lot of small businesses are facing challenges right now. I know it’s particularly overwhelming for those organizations that are trying to service the sudden and dramatic rise in need from people in our community this year. I certainly don’t have all of the answers for what our town’s small business community needs, however, for ARES to thrive again, we’re definitely going to need as many folks in our corner as possible over the coming months to offset the numerous customers staying safer at home these days who have yet to come back and shop with us in person.
Below, we’ve listed some of our sales, events, and other ways to keep updated with how you can support ARES and subsequently people in need, during the coming months. And please accept our sincerest gratitude for shopping with us, prior to visiting a big box store, or solely buying your items online.
Those of you on Facebook, can easily save our latest deal there. But we realize that not all of you partake in Facebookland, so here’s the coupon that’s been running online.
Come shop with us in the next few days with it printed out, OR simply show this email to your cashier on your smartphone, if you’d rather. Your patronage is an important key for our continued success.
Additionally- It’s Dolla Bin Sale Days– Our biggest deal of the month takes place this weekend from 12- 5pm on Friday & Saturday. Shop outdoors at the ultimate safe, socially distant shopping event.
Thanks for continuing your support of our small business. We most certainly look forward to seeing you soon! – Jennifer and team ARES
If are able to support our relief efforts to maintain our ability to offer thrifty goods and services to people in the local community, and offset our lack of revenue for three months due to store closure, please click here: GoFundMe and thank you so much!
We know times are tough these days. So we thought you’d be interested in some great deals and events coming up at ARES.
1. SUMMER RAFFLE: We’re giving away some of the year’s most-unique donations for FREE! Find prizes in the display case at the register. Earn tickets all month long in August just by shopping with us, checking in at ARES etc…(see cashier for all ways to enter). Seven Lucky winners will be pulled on the 31st of August. More visits provide options for more entries!
2. FILL-A-BAG SALE: Come by and see just how many items you can stuff into our bags- just $10+ tax for each bag! Bring a friend for this one, and they’ll thank you for it.
3. DOLLA DOLLA BIN SALE: Everyone’s favorite deal! Peruse thousands of items out front- Each just $1 (weather-permitting). These are unsorted donations so be a little more careful handling these items, than those in-store that we’ve cleaned and made certain are safe.
+ Social Distancing & Sanitizing: What ARES is doing to keep you and our staff and volunteers safe
Most of you are making fewer trips out of the house these days. That makes it more important than ever that you have a comfortable and enjoyable environment to enjoy a quick thrift trip now and then.
At ARES, we want our store to be as safe as possible so that you may rest assured while shopping with us. We are fully-loaded with sanitizing sprayers to tackle frequently touched surfaces and address them continuously throughout our open hours. We have plexiglass barriers at our register area as well as signage at the storefront regarding the need for masks and social-distancing when in our store. Our staff provide verbal updates to shoppers about the need to keep to one person (or group that arrived together) per aisleway. Our regular shoppers have gotten this down, and it is working great so far.
Also, we should mention that yes, you may certainly utilize fitting rooms to try on items you like. We just ask that you always hang any unwanted items on the specific rack left outside the room, as we quarantine those items away afterward.
And most importantly, we are making sure you are not coming in contact with recently-donated items from households when you are shopping. We have had over a year’s supply of donations to process for our salesfloor as you all were very busy cleaning out during Safer at Home times. This allows for us to easily store away any current/fresh donations and add only those items that have been sufficiently quarantined to our salesfloor. On occasion, there are items that may be too fragile or an odd size or shape for storage, and in those infrequent cases, the items are fully sanitized if we need to bring them into the store at the end of the day in which they were donated.
In addition to items being sanitized, we also provide hand sanitizer at the front of the store available for all who are coming or going to use. Or you may use our restroom at any point to wash your hands as well if you would prefer that option. We definitely understand that folks are hesitant these days to come out and shop in the manner they did prior to this year, however if there is something we could do to allow you to get in and out more quickly, or pay by phone and run an item outside for you to pick up curbside, just give a call during any of our open hours and we’ll do our best to accommodate if it is a request within reason.
We are hoping to be here in the community for many more years serving up our unique, secondhand scores for you. Thanks for adapting and for getting through these times with us.
Stay thrifty and safe friends, – Jennifer Greany
If are able to support our relief efforts to maintain our ability to offer thrifty goods and services to people in the local community, and offset our lack of revenue for three months due to store closure, please click here: GoFundMe and thank you so much!
