Ledes from the Land of Enchantment

Shopping for a good (animal) cause

In years past, I occasionally traveled for work. My favorite after work entertainment? Thrifting! I scored a classic black wool coat in Fort Collins, little black dresses in Denver, and Minelli women’s brogues (with the original price tags!) in Albuquerque. Thrifting is good for the environment, good for the pocketbook — and good for the organization that runs the store!

Las Cruces has many thrift (also called resale) stores that support great causes, and two support local animal nonprofits — Second Chance Thrift Store run by Action Programs for Animals (APA) and Safe Haven Thrift Store run by Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary (SHAS) . I myself regularly haunt the aisles of these shops and invariably leave with great furniture, clothing or home goods.

I chatted with Cassandra Lockwood, manager for Second Chance Thrift Store, about what savvy thrifters should look for. I was not surprised by her reply that shoppers would find “upscale clothing, purses, books, DVDs, CDs, and vinyl records, jewelry, and great furniture and home décor.” (Furniture can be delivered for $20.)

I was surprised, however, when Cassandra mentioned that APA receives donations of seriously fine art and jewelry, and twice each year she works with Mesilla Valley Estate Sales (nmestateauctions.com) to hold auctions for these items. Stay tuned for the next auction, which will be Thanksgiving week and feature paintings, locally crafted pottery, 18-carat gold jewelry, silver jewelry, a hand-woven rug made in Poland, Coach purses, Stiffel lamps, Waterford and Baccarat glass and tableware, Pier 1 urns, sporting equipment, a lawn mower valued at $1,000, and a brand-new saddle!

Second Chance Thrift Store is at 2475 N. Main St.

Cassandra also manages APA’s eBay site (who knew?)! She noted that new items are placed on eBay every week, mostly designer clothing and shoes. Cassandra would love to have some more volunteers for the store, and she is always looking for sellable donations. The key word is “sellable” — clean, current, and good quality — to maintain their “commitment to selling only the best items.”

On the other side of town, Safe Haven Thrift Store is the main source of funding for Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary and works to meet its motto of “a first-class experience in a secondhand store.” Large, bright and well-organized, upon entering you are greeted by rows and rows of dishware, small appliances, glassware and decorative items. To the right is an impressive display of books and furniture. In the back are racks chock full of clothing (where you will find me!). If ye are willing to dig, buried treasure ye will find. (Pro tip: Women’s formal attire and even wedding dresses can be some of the best thrifting bargains to be found. Bonus pro tip: Wear form-fitting leggings and a tank top when you are thrifting clothes so that you don’t need to wait for the dressing room.)

Both Action Programs for Animals and Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary are members of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. Shopping resale stores is definitely a “green” activity, keeping unwanted items out of a landfill and reducing your carbon footprint. Shopping secondhand also makes sense for people on a budget, such as college students or others just starting out, or anyone who wants to rein in their spending.

Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary thrift store is at 840-D El Paseo Road.

Most importantly, APA’s Second Chance Thrift Store and Safe Haven Thrift Store are critical funding sources for fulfilling their organization’s respective missions. Its website states that Safe Haven Thrift Store “is (SHAS’s) main funding source,” and “every thrift store purchase helps feed the animals.” APA’s Second Chance Thrift Store funds a large bulk of APA’s overhead expenses.

When you support one local animal organization, you indirectly support them all. So — what are you waiting for? Ready… set… shop!

Safe Haven Thrift Store

  • Where: 840-D El Paseo Rd
  • Hours: 9 am to 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Donations accepted only during open hours
  • site: https://shaspets.com/thrift-store/
  • phone: 575-541-4942

Second Chance Thrift Store

More Notes from the ASCMV:

Elaine Stachera Simon writes for the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley. Follow on Facebook (facebook.com/ASCMV), check out ascmv.org or call 575-382-0018.

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