Thrifty shoppers bag for bargains
Commons Photos by Liz Thomas
Liz Thomas
Co-editor
Shoppers in Carrboro support local schools by testing the threshold of paper grocery bags. The contents of one bag, regardless of splitting seams or overfill, cost three dollars. Since 1952, PTA Thrift Shop, Inc. has sold high-quality donated goods, but “Bag Day” offers some of the lowest prices of the season.
“At these prices, I’ll be a ‘double bag’ lady,” Karen Spell said. Spell, from Chapel Hill, filled her bags with stacks of blankets. “These make great cushioning for my aging dog to sleep on,” Spell said.
Both the Carrboro shop, located at 103 Jones Ferry Road at the West Main Street intersection, and the Chapel Hill location at Village Plaza are major sources of funding for elementary, middle and high schools in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Profits are divided among the district’s parent-teacher associations according to student population and volunteer hours.
With the right handling, one bag can hold a leather golf bag with over a dozen clubs, as J. Edward Kennedy Jr., from Chapel Hill, discovered when he decided to buy golf clubs for his daughter.
“I don’t know anything about golf, but if she doesn’t like these, I won’t be hurting over three dollars,” Kennedy Jr. said.
Volunteers and employees knew Saturday, March 3, would be exceptionally busy, Dave Tuttle said. Tuttle, known as “the computer guy,” tests all electronics. Using masking tape and marker, he clearly labels working aspects of computers, televisions, and accessories.
Shopper Beverly Cordes said, “I come here for a good deal. If I decide later that I don’t want it, then I can just re-donate it.” Cordes, from Carrboro, bought a computer for her home. Tuttle hooked up a monitor and keyboard to show her the functionality of her purchase.
Behind the stairs on the first floor, sheets cover goods that have yet to be sorted and tested. PTA. Thrift Shop uses sale days like “Bag Day” to keep the merchandise flowing, Tuttle said. Leftovers from the Really, Really Free Market in the Town Commons that same day were donated to the thrift shop.
“We don’t have problems restocking the shelves. If anything, we have to be selective with what we take — especially electronics,” Tuttle said.
“I come for the selection and the affordability,” said Tracy Sprenger. Sprenger, 29, from Hillsborough, shopped for baby clothes with her sister-in-law. Last year, she bought a couch for her living room.
Melanie Mauze and her husband, Charlie Mauze, visit the first floor of the thrift shop monthly to buy stacks of books.
“We’re looking for books, any and all old books, so we can cover them in leather,” Charlie Mauze said. He and his wife have a business in Wilson selling leather-bound books to adorn bookshelves.
Employees and volunteers inspect all items before adding them to the shelves, but great finds still slip by inspections.
“We’ve found books with hundred-dollar-bills between the pages. Some have even been signed by presidents,” Tuttle said.
The PTA Thrift Shop sells quality donated goods, including clothing, furniture, house wares, sports equipment, toys and appliances. Donations can be dropped off at the Yarnell-Hoffer Donation Center, located at 1705 Legion Road, Chapel Hill. Both store locations also accept donations between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. For more information please visit:
http://ptathriftshop.com.
