Uptown Cheapskate Brings Easy Thrifting to College Park
Image credit: Sara Wiatrak for The Campus Trainer
Since officially opening to sell second-hand clothes a mere month ago, the Uptown Cheapskate of Baltimore Ave, College Park has been thriving.
It took several weeks after its first calls to buy gently-used clothes in mid-July for the popular retailer to meet its quota of attire, but on Sept. 26, they finally began selling to anticipating customers.
Between 200 and 500 items are individually bought and sold every day, said Elizabeth Butler, the owner and manager of the store.
“We try and buy three items for every one thing we sell,” Butler said.
The entire Uptown Cheapskate chain is known for a more hip thrifting experience, with the majority of their clothes being from brands like Urban Outfitters, H&M, Levi’s, Adidas and Forever 21.
“We are looking for current styles geared towards our core demographic college students and young adults,” the official Uptown Cheapskate website states.
Image credit: Sara Wiatrak for The Campus Trainer
But College Park’s store gets customers beyond the “zillennial” age group, according to Jack Smirnow, one of the store’s fashion consultants.
“I would say we get a good mix of all ages,” Smirnow said. “I wouldn’t even say it’s mostly college students, I would say it’s about people from like, 20 to 30. So I guess some college students are included in that.”
“50% college students, 50% not students,” estimated Butler.
And it’s not bold to assume that the company’s careful policies for buying clothes is a key practice that keeps these consumers coming.
“We’re selective with the style and the condition of the clothing, the brand of the clothing, and the demand of the clothing,” said Smirnow. “We reject clothes with holes, stains, kid’s sizes, formal wear—so like, dress clothing, and nothing tailored.”
Image credit: Sara Wiatrak for The Campus Trainer
They also make sure to keep up with shifting prices as the seasons change, along with their website. The website also makes it clear that clothes more than a few years old won’t be taken.
“Stuff from like H&M, Zara, Forever 21—sometimes it goes on sale so it’d be actually too cheap for us to sell,” said Butler. “We won’t be able to compete with the price, because why buy it used when you can buy it brand new for a lower price?”
Another notable feature of the store is its appeal to buyers who try to be environmentally-friendly or avoid buying directly from fast-fashion clothing chains. A recent story in The Diamondback highlights Uptown Cheapskate as providing a “low carbon clothing option to College Park.” And while customers can walk out with a $2 reusable and spacious tote, the store is otherwise bagless.
Image credit: Sara Wiatrak for The Campus Trainer
But when asked what they think specifically makes Uptown Cheapskate stand out among other thrift stores, the staff members agreed it was their distinguished selectiveness on what they buy and sell.
Image credit: Sara Wiatrak for The Campus Trainer
Image credit: Sara Wiatrak for The Campus Trainer
“I think just the curation aspect—you don’t have to look through as much, because we’re just going to have, on average, better stuff,” Smirnow said. “And the condition is going to be much better as well, you’re not gonna find stains and all that.”
