GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – With rising costs affecting many, people are finding ways to save.
From second hand clothing, to repurposed home goods, and other handcrafted items, Green Bay Vintage Market offers a unique opportunity for people like Victor Kielman to save some money.
“In my opinion I think that second hand clothing and vintage clothing in general is super, super affordable, I mean I literally have bags full of stuff that I am selling for my own store.”
Kielman says he was shocked shopping at the mall the other day.
“I was so surprised how expensive some stuff is nowadays, I’m like $50 for a hoodie, $90 for a pair of pants,” says Kielman.
Vendors like TennPack Throwbacks strive to keep costs low, to see local people coming back.
“I could maybe sell some of this stuff for more online, but I’d rather sell it locally to someone who has been looking for it forever…I’ll take a $20-$30 loss over online sales, just to create that comeback customer, or see it out in the wild again,” says TennPack Throwbacks Owner, Sterling Thayse.
Thayse says having his shop on Holmgren Way, he sees people stop there, rather than the pro-shop on Packers game days.
“You don’t necessarily want to spend $120 on a jacket that you’re going to wear on Sundays, where I can offer one for $60.”
Ava Winstin started the Market a year and a half ago.
It pops up once a month at Badger State Brewing Company.
Upcoming dates:
April 1st
May 21st
June 25th
July 23rd
August 20th
November 25th
December 16th
Over that time says she has seen more and more shoppers choosing to buy second hand.
“I think with vintage and thrifted clothing, it’s just timeless, so you are paying for what you are wearing, but you are also paying for the sustainability aspect of it,” says Winstin.
She says the market has also grown in popularity with vendors.
“It’s grown from 17 all the way to 70 one time, so it’s been pretty crazy,” says Winstin.
She hopes the market continues to build a thrifting community in the Green Bay Area.
