Echo Thrift Shop: Environmentally-Friendly Fashion at Wallet-Friendly Prices

Are you an environmentally-minded consumer? Or a college student on a tight budget? Do you need a whole new wardrobe for a new internship or job?

Durham has the answer: the Echo Thrift Shop!

Located at 17 Main Street in the backside of the Community Church of Durham, Echo is a short walk from the core of downtown. Wildcats, there is no need to hop on the next Portsmouth-bound bus when you need to add something new to your closet. Take a quick walk to the Echo Thrift Shop where you'll find quality, top brand items at low prices.

Echo doesn't just sell clothing and accessories. The shop has a small collection of small housewares, kitchen basics, linens, and books. If you've recently moved into an off campus apartment and need to add some basic items to you kitchen, check Echo first and save yourself a trip and a lot of money!

I have been thrifting the majority of my wardrobe since I first learned about the environmental impacts of the fashion industry. Did you know the average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing per year? The majority of which could be easily recycled, but winds up in the landfill instead. Shopping for clothing at thrift stores reduces the demand for new items and saves used clothing from adding to textile waste at the landfill. Donated items that Echo can't sell in the store or donate elsewhere, including ripped and stained items, are sent to a textile recycler.

At Echo, each dollar you spend does more than protect the environment: Echo gives a large percent of the shop's revenue to charities each year. Since 2015, half of the shop's revenue supports Friends in Action, a Durham-based non-profit that provides social and recreational activities to young adults with developmental disabilities. The remaining half is divided between the Community Church of Durham and various local, statewide, and global charities including Seacoast Family Promise, On Belay, Arts in Reach, End 68 Hours of Hunger, and many others.

The shop, which was opened in 2011 by the Community Church of Durham and is still run by volunteers Wednesday through Saturday, has become a space for Friends in Action participants and University of New Hampshire students to work together. On Mondays and Tuesdays, the shop is staffed by FIA staff and participants. Participants work alongside students in Occupational Therapy and various other majors at UNH, creating a vibrant and inclusive community.

So, whether you're looking for something for the office, the runway, or just looking to survive a New England winter, or you want to do good with your hard-earned money and "vote with your wallet" - Echo Thrift Shop has what you're looking for. The shop is always accepting donations, so feel free to drop off unwanted clothing, accessories, books, and small housewares anytime the building is open (roughly between 7:30 am and 9 pm daily).

Echo Thrift Shop is open Monday through Friday 10 am until 5 pm and Saturday 10 am until 2 pm. Echo is also always looking for volunteers. Find Echo Thrift Shop on Facebook and Instagram!