You don’t have to spend a fortune to look good … at least I hope that is the case.

That may be why the thrift store business is a $1.6 billion industry in America and is projected to grow 2.1 percent in 2021.

This desire to look snappy without taking out a mortgage inspired the Zoom workshop series “Dressing is a Puzzle: Let’s Put it Together,” to guide shoppers at Council Re|Sale, a thrift shop at 3297 W. 12 Mile Rd., in Berkley, and one of the oldest resale shops in metro Detroit.

The two upcoming “Dressing is a Puzzle: Let’s Put it Together” workshops are:

• Tuesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. – AM to PM, The Knack of Dressing in Black: Learn how to transform your black outfit from day to night, creating different looks for a vast variety of occasions. Register here for the program.
• Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. – Accessories, Accessories: From shoes to hats, from jewelry to jackets, learn how to create entirely new outfits from the clothes you already have, by accessorizing.

Register here for the program.

The store is a nonprofit, volunteer outfit run by National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan (NCJW|MI).

“We have all opened our closets and thought we had nothing to wear,” says Susie Jacob, a vice president at NCJW|MI. “Our workshops will help everyone spruce up and reimagine their outfits and help solve the puzzle of what to wear. For fashion-forward metro Detroiters on a budget, there’s no better place to shop.”

Unique among thrift shops, Re|Sale is known to have more high-end items for sale.  For example, among the other garments and shoes, there is an unworn bridal gown by French designer Lanvi sold at Re/Sale’s Poshmark store.

Said dress usually goes for $7,000, but it is marked down to $2,000.  Don’t let that high price tag give the wrong idea … prices go as low as a dollar at the store.

Store manager Dolores Hendrix offers a new bargain every day, called “Dolores’ Daily Deal,” and frequent shoppers earn $10 Council Cash for every $50 pre-tax purchase to spend on a future visit to Council Re|Sale.

Re|Sale began life at 89 Rowena St. in Detroit in 1934.  Since then, money has gone to the benefit of Detroit area women, children, and families in need. These include the annual Back 2 School Store, Backpack Project for homeless children, blankets for foster children, Kosher Meals on Wheels, Literacy Outreach, and social action initiatives such as Voter Advocacy programs.

The store was forced to close at the start of the pandemic to keep staff and customers safe. In July 2020 it reopened with stringent safety measures, including sanitizing stations, social distancing practiced by staff and customers, masks worn by all in the store and only 15 shoppers allowed in the store at one time.

Council Re|Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; donations of clothing (currently not children’s clothing or books) are accepted Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At least until the pandemic is in the rearview mirror, social distancing is practiced by the staff and customers, masks are required and only 15 customers are allowed in the store at a time.  There are also sanitization stations available.

With the pandemic keeping many unsure about their economic futures, this may be a way to keep a budget, wear some hip threads, and help those in need in metro Detroit.

For more information on Council Re|Sale go to www.councilresale.net or call 248.548.6664. For more information on National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan go to www.ncjwmi.org.

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