Mariia Kuzmichova celebrating her thrifting finds

(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)

Mariia Kuzmich shuffles through the aisles of clothing and household items of Value Village, keeping a close eye on deals and prices.

With prices rising and inflation eating through budgets, every dollar must be accounted for.

“As an immigrant especially you don’t have too much money to spend on unnecessary things," she said.

She's one of what appears to be a growing number of BC Interior residents turning or returning to thrifting, either by necessity or pleasure.

Second hand shopping has maintained popularity throughout the years to ease budgets, reduce waste and find vintage looks at a fair price.

Kuzmich was shopping at Value Village in Rutland for affordable fashion that wouldn’t break the bank. 

“The quality is not always fair with the cost,” she said, while holding up items to herself in the mirror.

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Value Village employee, Aniella Lind, has noticed an increase in customers within the last year.

“Lots of our customers are people from low-income families and stuff like that, so they really like to come here to get the cheaper prices,” Lind said, while putting price reduction stickers on shoes.

It's gotten so busy, both sides of the self checkout have remained open due to the increase in shoppers this year. 

The goal for this thrift store is to put out new items every day just to keep up with the constant demand for cheaper items, Lind said.

Lind isn't just an employee, but a customer as well.

“I’m a student living on my own, so I’ve got to save money where I can,” Lind said. “I don’t have a lot of money for extra things like clothing and stuff. I just moved so I got all my house stuff from here.”

For others, finding unique looks at the right price isn’t as easy.

Taylor Fair isn't quite so concerned about a budget; she was on the hunt for jeans.

“Probably the most difficult thing to shop for in a thrift store,” Fair said. “Not only the size and fit, but the style too.”

Thrifting for something you really love can take lots of time, Fair says. New clothes at the mall have all the sizes; that's why finding the right vintage clothes that fit can take time. It's like the proverbial needle in a haystack.

“It’s hard work,” she said.

Fair says when she was younger, she used to thrift regularly. Due to high clothing prices, she has since gone back to this necessity in her adult life which brought some difficulties along with it. What used to be a hobby has turned into a regular routine.

“Because of inflation and the economy and everything, I honestly feel like I have no choice,” Fair said.

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