Watching Our Waste This Holiday!

Halloween is here and the holidays fall right on the heels. Minnesotans are a festive bunch and we love to entertain, decorate and exchange gifts with loved ones…but at what expense? According to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, a typical Minnesotan between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day adds an additional 1 million tons a week to […]

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Circular Inventory

One in, one out? One in, two out? None in for a month? What is your home inventory method? Many Twin Citians practice the discipline of home inventory management, whether it’s because they are downsizing to urban living, simplifying their busy, cluttered lives, or perhaps reversing the trend for overconsumption for ecological reasons. The Netflix […]

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Cheers!

“Momma always said ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’” Twenty-five years ago Forrest Gump warmed our hearts and we still relate to his sentiment today! Take our glassware department, for example. We receive ongoing donations of unique glassware from our generous donors in the neighborhood and you never know […]

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Makers of MN

“Something that is old, worn and forgotten gets a second life in color. The pieces all have meaning and sentimental value but are not being used any longer. It’s all about the juxtaposition” says Julia Moss, local designer who transforms vintage silver into modern creations. Many of us remember the days of pulling out the […]

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Makers of MN

Robinwood Reclaim is the result of a city kid, Patrick, marrying the North Dakota farm girl, Robin. When the couple met and visited her family farm, they would often spend time driving around the country-side and explore many of the abandoned buildings scattered around them, especially those on her farm. As they searched, Patrick could […]

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Stephanie Hansen is our kind of thrifter!

HI! My name is Stephanie and I am the broadcaster, blogger, photographer, podcaster, thrifter and eater behind StephaniesDish.com and the podcast MakersofMN. It all began in 2005 when Stephanie March (Food Editor for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine) and I started the radio show #WeeklyDish on the Twin Cities station Mytalk1071. Ten years later, the show is going […]

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I shop, volunteer and photograph too!

By Guest Blogger Team Emma & Grammy Debbie My name is Emma, and I like to take pictures. I have been shopping at Arc’s Value Village since I was a little girl, and I usually get my Halloween costume there – like this year. Now I am 13 years old and can shop by myself! […]

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A Thankful Thrifter

What are you thankful this year? I enjoyed four relaxing days off this Thanksgiving and had some time to reflect on everything that I am grateful for. Turns out it it’s not things, but people that bring me the most joy and gratitude. On that list, I am very grateful for my co-worker Duane! A […]

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Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers

Crafty as we are sometimes known to be, we assembled some ideas for those who might be giving a baby shower.  With the exception of the shadow box, most items are super-simple and take practically no time at all.  Charming and inexpensive baby block and bootie planters help fill out the table.   You might even fill […]

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Set a Spectacular Table this Holiday Season

You can find everything you need at our Merry Thriftmas Shops November 3 through December 23.  Create a very festive event with a spectacular holiday table.  Everything on this feature table (minus cookies and flowers) is from Arc’s Value Village.  It took a little time and some creativity but all that paid off with a really lovely […]

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