TGIF: Thank Goodness It’s Fall!

Summer is my favorite time of year here in Minnesota because the rest of the year is dreary and cold. However, this summer was just HOT! I actually couldn’t wait for it to be Fall and for the cooler temperatures. I’m sure a lot of you agree. 😉 On Sept 14th, we wanted to celebrate […]

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Tis the Season! Melissa is back!

Hello Villagers, I’m back! I took a little break from blogging, but I’ll be guest blogging for Arc’s once a month again, and  I couldn’t be happier and more excited! We’re in the middle of the holiday season, so what better timing than to talk about holiday fashion? Wardrobe from Arc’s Value Village / Styled […]

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5 Places to Find The Perfect Vintage Inspired Wardrobe This Fall

It’s a new season, which means a new wardrobe to accommodate the weather! However, a new wardrobe can be expensive, and it’s not accessible or affordable for most. Adding to that, how do you build a new autumn wardrobe with the hottest style of the season? Just like Autumn, vintage and retro are back! So […]

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When to thrift

Hi there! It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged for Arc, I missed all of you!!! I hope all of you are having a great start to your summer and enjoying being with friends, family and the outdoors post-quarantine! So what have I been up to….let’s see here. Well, I can tell you that I’ve been […]

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What makes you different, makes you beautiful

As my preteen favorite boy band once said “What makes you different, makes you beautiful.” There are over 7 billion people on Earth today, and not one person is the same.  You are truly one of a kind.  Everyone has his or her own likes and dislikes, their own tastes, and their own styles.  We […]

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“My Dreams Have Come True”

“Mom, my dreams have all come true.” This is the statement my daughter Katlyn made after being a model for Arc’s Value Village Halloween Boo-tique (featured on Channel 12 and City Pages).  I still get emotional when I think about it, because I never thought I would hear those words from her.  When Katlyn was […]

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Repurposing Cashmere Sweaters into Touques

Growing up in a very small town in northern Canada, a majority of our clothes came from the Sears catalogue. If you wanted something other than Sears couture, you had to make it yourself or drive four hours to the closest city. Fortunately, I came from long line of extremely talented knitters, sewers, and crafters. […]

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Fitness Thrifting

It might lack the romance of hunting for vintage treasures but the fitness section of your local thrift store is not to be missed. Whether it’s because we underestimate our actual dedication to a new sport or the physical changes that often come with a new workout regime, secondhand fitness clothing tends to be in […]

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Employing People With Disabilities

There are a number of powerful myths that exist about people with disabilities in the workplace and in our culture. Many of these beliefs are false, and should not be broadly applied to people with disabilities. Despite their ability, desire, and willingness to work the majority of people with disabilities continue to be unemployed or […]

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My journey from Gambia to Arc’s Value Village

My name is Fatou and I was born and raised in Gambia, West Africa and moved to America at the age of 18. I graduated from Patrick Henry High School, studied Mass Communications at the University of Minnesota and graduated from MCTC where I received an Associate Degree in Medical Office Assistance. I work in […]

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