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THRIFTING MIGHT MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, SO HERE’S HOW TO DO IT IN LAKE HIGHLANDS

Story by CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB Photography by LAUREN ALLEN

From the exterior of its humble headquarters on Garland Road, White Rock Center of Hope might not appear to be an enterprise on the cutting edge of conscientious consumerism and fashion trends. But doors under that generic-looking “Thrift Shop” signage lead to an impressive operation.

Neatly distributed rows of clothing, a curated selection of furniture and accessories and a front-and-center “boutique” area stocked with higher-end inventory meet a shopper’s eye, which might land on a set of silver, studded, six-inch platform Gianni Bini heels or something equally splendid.

“We've been doing a lot to try to refresh our merchandising and marketing, to make sure the store is welcoming,” Executive Director Greg Smith says. “We always have fresh sales. You’ll see our floors have been cleaned, and they’re nice and sparkly.”

The staff says that if they don’t have what you need, or want, today, chances are they will have it next week. “We have a lot of churn, which is great,” Smith says.

Dallas is a good place in general for thrifting, according to a 2022 study by the research team at Lawn Love. Our city ranks No. 12 on their list of 200, coming in just behind a few other Texas metros — Houston, San Antonio and Austin. That’s based on the number of secondhand retailers and an analysis of thrift- and consignment-related Google searches in the area.

June Park, a professor at Oklahoma State University’s Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising, commenting on the study, explains the benefits of shopping for used items.

“Needless to say, it is good for the environment as you are closing the loop by reusing material goods,” she says. “It is also a good way to support your community because many thrift stores are locally based, small businesses, and a sizable portion of their earnings goes to charity.”

In 2021, secondhand clothing purchases displaced about one billion purchases of new clothing, according to the report, which is important, because, according to the research, while some new apparel is sourced from sustainable, or even recycled, resources, the fashion industry is still one of the most polluting, due to fast fashion, in which companies make clothing cheaply and speedily to keep up

Consignment Vs Thrift

In consignment shops , clients turn over their goods to the shop for a specific time and receive part of the profits if and when the items are sold. In thrift stores , donated items stay in stock until they are sold, and the person who donated the items does not receive any money in exchange for them.

up in landfills,” note the study’s authors.

The thrift store at White Rock Center of Hope supports programs that assist families from ZIP codes 75238, 75218, 75214, 75228 and 75223.

Donations come in through the west side of the building, behind the retail store, where volunteers accept items Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Aside from old-school electronics and items that “have been loved so much they have nothing left to give,” Smith says they will accept almost anything.

The 16,000-square-foot building includes ample space for volunteers to sort, count and organize those contributions.

Some will go to “clothing closet,” in an adjacent area, where enrolled families can choose outfits free of charge four times a year. The center distributes some 81,000 such items each year and also shares with other local charities, Smith says.

clients take home complete outfits), it partners with North Texas Food Bank for its grocery pantry, it and provides a number of additional resources.

“Almost all of the labor at the thrift shop is volunteer,” Smith says. “That means every dollar at the store is benefitting people in the neighborhood.”

Since Smith joined the foundation 18 months ago, he has focused on expanding programming.

“Once people are stabilized, oftentimes they still need some help to figure out how to not need to come back again,” Smith says.

He points to a room that has been cleared to make way for a classroom where he says volunteers and social workers will teach useful skills such as financial literacy.

White Rock Center of Hope checks all the feel-goodshopping boxes, but it is not the only place in the neighborhood for resale, vintage and other second hand treasure.

Super Thrift 11411 E. Northwest Highway

Patient perusers are often rewarded with fab finds, but they might have to work for them. Rows of clothing options for men women and children, plus luggage, hats, sunglasses, shoes, partially spent bottles of perfume, belts, ties, shoes, linens, minor furniture and kitchen and household items — there is a ton of inventory, but shoppers say it’s well organized and clean.

Fahra Mitchell of Lochwood, who frequents the Northwest Highway reseller, recommends going once a month or so.

“I do find that if I go too often, I hardly get anything, which would indicate that they don't have a good turnover compared to some other stores.” she says.

Before you go, check for coupons on sites such as fivestars. com, where Super Thrift sometimes posts “5% off your entire purchase” (or similar) deals.

Super Thrift is open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and they accept clothing donations during those hours. Please don’t bring mattresses or large furniture, says one staffer reached by phone. Just come to the cashier or call ahead and someone will come to your car and help you.

Plato’s Closet 8430 Abrams

Y2K-era trucker hats and low-rise jeans for trendy Gen Zs, an assortment of sunglasses and bags for Mom and Dad — there might be something here for everyone in the family, but it mostly appeals to tweens, teens and 20-somethings.

Plato’s Closet, which relocated from Medallion Center about 10 years ago, is pricier than the typical thrift store. Clothing is intentionally priced, meaning a T from The Gap is going to be cheap, while designer jeans might be $20 or more, which is still significantly more affordable than buying new.

Gently used clothing can be resold to Plato’s. But it’s not the place to unload that unwanted, unsorted bag of threads. Always call ahead, 214.342.2204, to see what they are taking — generally, on-trend, name-brand clothing, shoes and purses in good condition. According to Plato’s Closet marketing, making one pair of jeans uses 2,000 gallons of water, one reason to consider buying denim secondhand.

FASHIONPHILE NorthPark Center

On the third floor of NorthPark Center, FASHIONPHILE offers an ultra-luxurious resale experience for snappy shoppers.

Authenticity is guaranteed thanks to a rigorous screening process, and personal shoppers are available to help customers find their bespoke “preloved” Birkin bag or Cartier bracelet. (According to promotional materials, buying those items secondhand saves 914.8 pounds of carbon dioxide and 2,040 gallons of water or 1,455 pounds of carbon and 654 gallons of water, respectively.)

For example, a Louis Vuitton Epi leather purse that retails at more than $2,100 costs about $1,200 at FASHIONPHILE. And when you are ready to trade that in for a fresher look, FASHIONPHILE will buy back most accessories at a percentage of the purchase price, up to 75%, provided it is still in good shape. Drop in or visit the website fashionphile.com for details on selling or to shop the current stock.

Anonymously Yours 9310 Forest Lane

This consignment store specializing in bridal and formal wear stocks both new and lovingly used gowns from designer names including Jovani, Maggie Sottero and Justin Alexander as well as veils, hair jewels or other accessories for the bride and her party. Find prom dresses and frocks for other formal occasions too.

Anonymously Yours also carries closeout and sample gowns, often brand new, and offers them at used prices, says shop owner Rene Bankston, who has been selling wedding gowns on consignment for more than 30 years.

For those who wish to consign items, she accepts articles ranging from casual to matrimonial in sizes 0-44. Quick-moving items include fine jewelry in nine to 24 karat gold, sterling silver and designer purses. Consignments are accepted weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and require a minimum of eight acceptable current style items. Call 214.341.4618 to schedule an appointment.

THIS WOMAN-OWNED CBD STORE WANTS TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE

Story

Awell-lit, open suite with honey-colored chandeliers. Products labeled and arranged neatly and displayed along the walls. A sitting area with a luxe green couch and cozy area rug. This is not a gift shop or a fashion boutique. This is a CBD store.

CBD House of Healing is located right in the thick of Lake Highlands. Owner Summer

PRUITT

Hanson, a career nurse, is trying to change the narrative on CBD use in our neighborhood and Texas.

“I had used cannabis previously to manage stress and anxiety,” Hanson says. “But I didn’t really have a grasp on CBD.”

Hanson credits her time as a registered nurse leading to a deeper understanding of the product.

“It took me acknowledging that I had used cannabis therapeutically to realize I can bring this to other people,” she says. “In my head, I thought I was just using it for fun, not knowing that it was really medicine.”

In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1325, making the sale of hemp products legal statewide. Texans took advantage overnight, creating their own distribution shops wherever there was room.

Hemp legalization in Texas isn’t quite as enabling as places like California or Colorado, which have full marijuana legalization. Hemp and marijuana plants are types of the same species of cannabis plant. The difference lies in the plant’s percentage of THC, the element that induces a “high” in its user.

A hemp plant contains 0.3% or less THC, an amount deemed suitable for Texans under current legislation. Marijuana plants contain 0.3% or more THC, which remains illegal to possess in Texas.

CBD is a popular medicinal element of the hemp plant that can be extracted and put into oils, gummies or pills.

Right on the heels of the new legislation, Texans become accustomed to a wide variety of options in the CBD market. Still, the industry remains a taboo with poor reputation to some who have yet to adjust to a changing medicinal and recreational landscape.

Hanson’s friend and business partner, Brittany Lane, created the House of Healing brand two years prior in Abilene, Texas. After Hanson’s own revelation with the product, she jumped on the opportunity to open a second location in her neck of the woods.

“Brittany wanted to change the aesthetic of her shop to differentiate herself from other places where you can buy CBD,” Hanson says. “Neither one of our shops look like a typical hemp shop.”

Inside the shop, there’s a colorful display of their products, offering medicinal, recreational and cosmetic benefits.

The store’s top wellness products usually come as a liquid tincture extract that can be added to drinks or gummies.

Shelves are stocked with CBD, Delta 8, Delta 9 and Delta 10 gummies in different flavors, along with CBD oil and tablets. Other edible items include CBD lollipops and whole-bean coffee.

There’s also a full line of CBD skin care products in white and gold packaging, including anti-aging moisturizer and facial scrubs, whipped shave butter and whipped foam facial cleanser.

On one wall, House of Healing has its bud bar, where customers can purchase flowers by the gram.

There’s even a tincture extract designed for pets.

“They are not just another smoke shop or pop-up neon green sign store trying to make a buck.” says Justin, a regular customer at

House of Healing who decline the use of his last name. “I had seen so many other ‘alternative medical marijuana’ and CBD shops; however, they appear untrustworthy or fly-by-night.”

As such, the manner in which House Of Healing chooses to aesthetically represent CBD and their brand is very intentional. Results can be found in their number of regular customers, well-produced social media videos and even the subtle influence to destigmatize hemp products and culture across Texas.

“I’m a registered nurse; I’m a young woman; I’m a mom; I’m not a degenerate, and I use these products every day,” she says.

As successful as House of Healing might be, nothing is more meaningful to Hanson than being on the forefront of a change in Lake Highlands and Texas.

“If I can be the face of something that people previously considered wrong, it’s important I represent the brand as best I can,” Hanson says.