Chances are, in the next week you’ll be on the lookout for a hat with three corners or a dress fit for a queen—it’s Purim costume time, and you’ll find us pulling together our look at Gateways Thrift Shop in Hopkins, run by Federation partner organization Sha’arim.

Gateways is the newest offering from Sha’arim, which provides education and social opportunities for children and adults with special needs. Through the thrift shop, Sha’arim provides vocational training and employment—and the staff is truly stellar.

If you find yourself at Gateways this weekend shopping for Purim costumes and more, our marketing specialist and master thrifter, Emily Gustafson, has some tips for you:

Have a plan... Even the most experienced of thrift shoppers can get overwhelmed when presented with everything at a thrift store! If you went out looking for jeans and new boots, start there.
…but stay flexible. Thrift stores are great for finding treasures and unexpected delights, but their greatest strength is also their greatest weakness. Be prepared to search a little longer to find an item that’s both your correct size and that fits your requirements. Keep your search categories loose (ie. Jeans vs. 1997 acid wash Levi’s size 6), and you’ll walk away much happier.
Check your items before you buy…Most thrift stores don’t have return policies. Make sure that what you’re buying doesn’t have any stains or rips that you don’t want, or that its washing requirements are something you can handle. If you don’t want to hassle with a Dry Clean Only item, you might have to put it back on the rack and continue your search for The One.
…and check the designer. Maybe it’s for bragging rights, maybe it’s because you swore you’d never buy clothes from Forever 21 once you weren’t exactly 21 years old any more. Either way, it’s very satisfying to discover the $17 shoes you love so much are actually vintage Manolo Blahnik. You never know!
Try things on. Hopefully, you do this whenever you shop, but at a thrift shop it’s even more important, because usually there’s not another size of the same item. There’s nothing worse than getting home and realizing that your new shirt doesn’t fit you quite right! Try it on in the store so you can be 100% sure you love it.
Go with your gut. Maybe you find something that sort of fits your requirements, or something catches your eye but you’re not sure if it’s a good fit with the rest of your items. Carry it around with you while you check out other things, then revisit. Can you picture yourself wearing it? Is it something that you’ve been wanting or needing for a while? Are you excited to wear it? If not, back to the rack.
Go earlier in the day. Most stores will put out their new wares early in the day and might not replenish the supply until the next day. Racks won’t be so picked over if you get to the store sooner!
Donate your old items. If you don’t want to add to the already gigantic pile of clothes sitting on That One Chair, donate them! You’ll be helping your thrift store increase its offerings, cleaning off The Chair, and giving your old clothes a second chance at life. Gateways lists what they can and cannot accept on their website.
Check the deals of the day! Often, thrift stores will have different colored tags on their clothes and household items that mean different things, like 50% off yellow tags or two for one deals on all purple tags. Take advantage and save even more money!
Ask for help! Thrift store workers know all about the best deals and where secret gems are hidden. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor by getting their expert advice—and the staff at Gateways is truly the best.

Ready to shop? Take this list over to Gateways Thrift Store in Hopkins and find your new favorite sweater, a chic work blazer, or the finishing touch for your Mordechai costume!

Ten tips for thrifting (at Gateways Thrift Shop!)