One of the greatest challenges of being a student is trying to maintain a practical budget, especially if you love fashion. After tuition, housing costs and groceries, it feels like there”s no hope of trading in that pair of duct-taped shoes for something new and maybe even puddle-proof.
There”s also a strong misconception floating around campus that Moscow is a difficult place to live if you have a penchant for shopping.
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The Storm Cellar, an independent consignment store located at the corner of Fifth and Main St., offers a variety of clothing and accessories.
As a lover of all things J. Crew, I understand why some people feel this way. Just from walking around Moscow, it”s easy to tell that the city lacks retail stores. I am very bad at online shopping, and when I first learned about how small Moscow”s mall is, I figured I would be driving to my hometown twice a month to get my shopping fix. I quickly learned that small town Moscow wasn”t the problem, I was.
Luckily, there”s still hope: thrift stores.
Thrift stores aren”t just a pop-culture trend confined exclusively to the realm of Macklemore songs. They are a useful way to make the most of living on a budget and can provide some great new additions to your wardrobe. I had only been in Moscow a few weeks when I started to hear rave reviews about some of the consignment and thrift stores we have in town. I was skeptical, but I decided to go on an informational shopping tour so you don”t have to.
The first store to explore is the Storm Cellar, a clothing consignment store located in downtown Moscow. I didn”t know what to expect when I first walked in, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The Storm Cellar is one of the nicest consignment stores I have ever been in. Walking into their store feels like walking into a small Anthropologie. Their clothes are nothing short of the store environment either. Things in the store include high-end brands at incredibly low prices, like an Urban Outfitters sweater for only $14.
Clothes and accessories aren”t the only things they sell at The Storm Cellar either. Are you in the market for some classic decorations? Then you”re in luck. The Storm Cellar sells home goods as well, with an intriguing selection of maps, pictures and vases.
Needless to say, I became completely obsessed with this store and the best part about it is not only is it full of great finds, but you”re also able to sell them old clothes or items you no longer want around.
The second notable thrift store in Moscow is The Hope Center, which is next to Tri-State on the Pullman Highway.
Unlike The Storm Cellar, where the staff chooses which items to put out on the floor, The Hope Center is a donation-based store with a much more varied selection. In terms of fashion, The Hope Center feels like somewhere my grandmother would have shopped in the “80s.
Although their clothing selection might not seem like much at first, not all hope is lost––this store is a great place to go if you”re feeling nostalgic for the “90s, looking for something unique to add to your wardrobe or in the market for some inexpensive apartment furnishings.
The third store to look out for is Goodwill. While Goodwill might come across as the generic thrift store that can be found in every town, I wouldn”t write this popular donation center off just yet. Moscow”s Goodwill carries a variety of popular brands and styles at a very reasonable price.
The store has such a large and varied inventory that it requires a bit of digging to find some gems, but at the end of the day, your search will be worthwhile. It”s not impossible to find good things; it”s just a store that you need to set aside a decent amount of time to visit.
You don”t need a mall full of popular retail stores to satisfy your style cravings. Thrift shopping is a way to save money while getting creative with your style. The best part is it”s a special kind of shopping experience knowing that what you”re wearing is 100 percent you.
Linzy Bonner can be reached at [email protected]