Trove Marketplace Blog

Fall Is Here! Let's Tackle It Together

9/24/2021

0 Comments

You know the drill!

It’s time to start getting into the season, gearing up for the holidays, and tuning our frequencies from beach vibes to pumpkin spice, sweaters, beanies, and bonfires. Halloween is coming, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and you’ve got about twenty other things to check off your list before you even think about those things.

We get it. This season winds up being both enjoyable and overwhelming. The beautiful thing is that trove.Marketplace is here to help you through it all.

Gifts, warm clothing, decor, spices, input, and inspiration are all found within our little shop. At the very least, we’ve got all of the things you’ll need to get through the season with shining colors.

For example, let’s say that you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year. The In-Laws are coming over along with all of the cousins, sisters, brothers, kids, grandkids, nephews, and nieces. You have all of the food in place, but you’re not sure that the interior of your home is looking up to par. You’re also worried that all of those kiddies won’t be happy unless they have something to take home with them.

You’re a little worried that this year, like all years in the past, your extended family will pick apart your design choices, silverware, plates, rugs, makeup, lifestyle habits, as well as the contents of your soul.

The last thing you want to do is go to Target and pick up some run-of-the-mill wall art. It won’t cut it. You’re stressed! Those fluorescent lights are going to roast you like a turkey.

Instead, think about running by trove.Marketplace. We have enough seasonal odds and ends to fill your entire house. Even better, we have things that nobody else has. Our items are timeless, unique, and forged from the hard work of thrifting, picking, and digging through whatever comes our way.

We’re also stocked with a myriad of hand-crafted items made by our artisans and crafters. Most importantly, though, we understand the struggle.

The holidays can be tough. We’re here to lend a hand as you piece together this year’s decorations. We might even suggest a sweater or two.

Looking for Fall Activities In Stillwater, MN?

If you're on the lookout for things to do with the family in Stillwater MN this fall, we've got you covered. trove.Marketplace is always cooking up exciting events that will excite you and the kids.

Explore our events page for updates or subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop on everything we have to offer.

RSS Feed

0 Comments

Why Is Thrifting So Hot Right Now?

9/8/2021

0 Comments

If you’re someone who likes things brand new, you might wonder why in the world so many people spend so much time finding vintage goods. The same goes for thrifting and scouring the earth for used things that could be repurposed or refurbished.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that thrifting is such a popular activity right now. Maybe a few of the ideas below will resonate with you and push you to visit some thrift stores in Stillwater, Minnesota.

1. Thrifted Items are Unique
One big reason for thrifting is that you get something that nobody else has. Sure, vintage clothes were mass-produced at one time or another, but those items are few and far between now.

They’ve been worn and taken on some of the distinction that comes with age. When you make your way to a vintage shop like trove.Marketplace, you’re faced with thousands of time-worn items that have been collected, curated, and displayed together.

Each item is as unique as the next, and you’re interested and surprised every time you look at something new. You honestly do not know what you’re going to find, and there’s some magic in that.

2. Thrifting is Sustainable

The fashion industry is a massive contributor to climate change. It turns out that around 10 percent of carbon emissions come from clothing production and distribution. It makes sense, too, considering that many of our clothes have to be produced and shipped from halfway around the world.

To make matters worse, we own a lot more clothes than we once did. We have more of the same garment than ever before, and we wear them for a lot less time than we ever have.

The result is the excessive production and transport of clothing and emissions to match. Thrifting lodges itself in that process, reducing the demand for production.

3. Affordability

Thrifting is also very affordable. There might be a trend or two that makes some items a little more expensive, but used items are almost always cheaper than brand new ones.

There’s no need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on clothing when there are cheap, lightly-used options that are often more stylish than what you find at the store. People have started to take note of this. Plus, you shouldn’t have to be rich to dress well and feel fantastic about yourself.

Many of the most popular thrift stores like The Salvation Army and Goodwill were based on the idea of providing affordable goods so that people wouldn’t have to struggle to buy necessary things.

4. Vintage Stuff is Cool!

There’s not always an explanation, but there’s no getting around it.

Vintage clothes are cool, old stuff is interesting, and there’s something about those things that makes you need to have them. When you get a vintage item or piece of clothing, it’s much more “yours” than something you buy from a big store or chain.

Few other people have that thing. Also, the styles of old are often expressive and aesthetically appealing. We’ve all seen a few old pairs of pants that should never see the light of day, but there’s a lot more gold in the vintage aisle than there is garbage.

Looking for Thrift Store in Stillwater?

If you’re struggling to find the best thrift stores in Stillwater, Minnesota, we’ve got you covered. Trove.Marketplace is a collective of local artisans, thrifters, and crafters that offer all of the hand-made, vintage, and thrifted goods you’ll ever need.

Explore our site to learn more about us, or stop by and experience the wonders of thrifting for yourself.

0 Comments

The History of Thrifting

9/2/2021

0 Comments

Thrifting might seem like something that’s new, or just based on the popularity of vintage clothes at a given time.

That said, finding interest in old items and giving them new life is something that’s been going on for a long time. We’re going to take a look at the history of thrifting, exploring where it comes from, why it’s so popular, and why it’s such an integral part of so many people’s lives.

Hopefully, the insights below can add a little meaning the next time you visit vintage stores in Stillwater MN.

What is Thrifting, Anyway?

Merriam-Webster defines thrift as “careful management, especially of money.”

Thrift-ing is the act of seeking used or affordable goods for personal use. Seeking out affordable things is nothing new, but there’s a modern culture surrounding the practice. People go thrifting, not just because they want to save money, but because they enjoy it.

There’s something exciting about finding a little underpriced relic that you know is priceless. There’s also a great deal of variety and novelty available on the shelves of a thrift store. The intrigue of thrifting is just as much about discovery as it is about saving money.

The modern use of “thrifting” is a little different from the original usage of the word, which dates back to the 14th century. “Thrift” derives from a combination of Middle English and Norse language.

Thriven and Prifask were terms that meant “to thrive.” Those terms were loosely associated with wealth and prosperity. The term was first used to describe the habit of saving money in the 1550s.

That said, the idea of thrifting in the modern sense didn’t come until much later. This, in large part, is because people tended to only have what they needed. Excess clothes, toys, and knick knacks weren’t very common because most people weren’t accustomed to having a surplus of things.

Flea Markets and Rummage Sales

Depending on the part of the world and how different societies were organized, people have been selling their clothes, crafts, and products to each other. That said, flea markets and rummage sales are recent ancestors of thrift stores.

Flea markets are thought to have started in 19th century France. At this time, an imperial architect made changes to the layout of Parisian streets. Street vendors and secondhand sellers who previously took to the street to sell their goods were forced out of their usual spots.

Individuals organized to sell all of their goods in the same place, lining their booths up in a contained area that allowed customers to browse. There’s some question as to why it was called a “flea market,” though.

It might have been because the vendors were forced to “flee” their usual locations, and the government of the time would regularly kick them out when they set up shop. Because vendors would come from all over and operate in close quarters, some say that “flea” markets were named because there were actual fleas transferred from booth to booth.

“Rommage” is an Old English term that referred to cargo stored in a ship.

The belief is that “rommage” sales involved selling off ship cargo that wasn’t able to be sold at the market. All kinds of cargo would come in and out of ports, some of which was unneeded. That excess would be sold off, and the idea of getting rid of things that were unneeded evolved into the practice of “rummage sales.”

When homes got closer together and people started to have more excess, personal garage sales evolved from the idea of rummaging.

Goodwill's Origins

In addition to grassroots efforts to organize and sell secondhand goods, a couple of prominent businesses started doing the same around the turn of the 20th century.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in an effort to create jobs and provide necessities to those less fortunate in Boston. Reverend Edgar J. Helms started the organization by gathering secondhand goods and clothes from wealthy people and hiring those in need to repair the goods.

The repaired items were returned at a cost or kept and sold in Goodwill stores. The result was a system that created jobs and offered an affordable way for individuals to buy high quality clothing.

Modern Thrifting

Things have evolved a lot since Goodwill was formed. There are plenty more thrift stores out there now. Many, like trove.Maretplace, are small businesses that meet a number of niche interests in thrift and secondhand goods.

Small businesses like ours have existed for a long time, but there has been a revitalized interest in thrifting in the last 25 years. There are a number of reasons for this, but there are a few that stand out as likely the most important.

The trend was bolstered by awareness of climate change and the impact that the fashion industry has on carbon emissions. It’s estimated that around 10 percent of carbon emissions come as a byproduct of the fashion industry.

It’s also important to note the sheer volume of excess clothing that was left over from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The mass production of clothes in those eras left us with a treasure trove of styles, cuts, and brands that stuffed the vintage racks of the 2000s.

Finally, social media was the matchstick to the vintage kindling, turning thrifting into a trend that people could explore and engage with online. Ideas for repurposing or discovering vintage clothes are all over the internet and have created a subculture of people who dive into thrifting for enjoyment.

Looking for Vintage Shops in Stillwater MN?

If you’re looking for somewhere to thrift, Stillwater is a goldmine. The vintage shops in Stillwater MN are packed with wonderful antiques, vintage clothes, thrifted goods, and more.

trove.Marketplace is one of the most eclectic shops in town. We’re here to help you find what you need and learn all about the thrifting opportunities in the area. Visit our site to learn more or stop by to see what we’ve got to offer.

0 Comments