A new way to shop: Upstate Instagram thrifting
Delaney Blackburn, Features and Entertainment Editor
Instagram thrift and antique shops have become a new trend since locals in Greenville, S.C. began searching for other sources of income after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Students at North Greenville University who are interested in antique or vintage items may be interested in shopping from these businesses.
These businesses sell items such as clothes, pottery, books, mugs and sometimes furniture.
Morgan Hester, freshman sports management major at North Greenville University, said, “Some of my favorite things to buy are clothing, household and vintage items.”
Hester said it can be hard to find the time to go thrifting herself, and she doesn’t always find what she’s looking for.
However, she said having someone else shop for her helps her find what she’s looking for from the comfort of home.
Hester said, “I think we need more of these businesses. They are just so efficient for both buyer and seller in the way they operate.”
Joy McManus, thrift flipper known as Shop of Joy on Instagram said, “It’s a really new hobby of mine. I sell items that I think may be of interest to my customers … some people have even given me items to sell.”
McManus said she started her business by choosing items she already owned and items from Goodwill to resell. She mainly finds items to sell from thrift shops, yard sales and estate sales.
After McManus makes a post for an item she wants to sell, she said a customer will contact her to purchase the item. Then, they discuss payment which she prefers through Venmo, but she also accepts cash.
McManus operates by porch pick up, meaning customers can pick up their items when it’s most convenient for them.
McManus said some of the most popular items she sells include brass items, candlesticks, mugs and books.
She said anyone who enjoys unique, good quality or decorative items would be interested in her shop.
McManus started her Instagram shop in September 2020 as an additional source of income to her full-time job. She said that operating an Instagram thrift shop is meant to be a side job.
McManus said, “Fads come and go … technology changes trends and fads … I’ve seen several accounts come and go in the few months that I’ve been doing this.”
Samantha Dobbins, digital designer and executive virtual assistant known as Eclectic Roots Co. on Instagram said, “My mom and I have always loved to go thrifting … there was no way we could keep everything we’ve picked, so we decided to open an Instagram shop.”
Dobbins said her customers are usually drawn to vintage prints, planters, candleholders and serving trays.
She said her store is more of an online antique store and not so much a thrift store.
She said people who truly love and appreciate antique or vintage items would likely be interested in her store.
Dobbins finds her items mostly from thrift and antique stores. She added that not everything she finds to sell is thrifted because she likes to sell good quality items that can’t always be found in thrift stores.
Dobbins said that she tries to sell items that are different and not likely to be sold on other accounts.
Dobbins said, “I think most people love the diversity of our items. We generally post anything from wicker baskets to collectible Pyrex dishes and everything in between.”
Like McManus, Dobbins started her shop with her mom in September 2020.
She said it’s definitely a side job that earns about $200-$300 per month in addition to the income she earns from her day job.
Dobbins said she thinks that online thrifting and antique businesses will need to move with the trends if they want to stay successful.
