By Tashmica Torok
With Christmas less than two weeks away, the race is on to find any gift. The one of a kind, unique gifts have been purchased and now we are in search of the space fillers. Tommy has ten gifts and Dad only has four. The quality or practicality of an item gives way to the need to level the tower of gifts under the tree. Presents will be torn open, the favorites used immediately and the cliché given to charity by June.
Atalie Buycks opened her store Thriftique as a response to the American culture of clutter and her God given gift for transforming trash into treasure. In a recession, she saw a struggle for her community to keep up with the Hiltons, Lohans and Kardashians. Pop culture’s encouragement to shop til you drop regardless of your need or income level has left us in debt digging ourselves out of possessions that mean nothing to our souls.
Thriftique is a thrift store on Grand River Avenue that is quickly becoming a fixture in the neighborhood. Local teenagers stop by for replica Coogee, Gucci and Versace clothing and handbags on their way home from school. They have become accustomed to looking for Atalie’s board listing the specials on the sidewalk. Families finishing up their yard sales call on Atalie to pick up what they have yet to sell. One consigner brings in specialty handmade children’s items to add to the selection at Thriftique.
Thriftique is uncluttered because Atalie is a diligent gleaner of unsold items. Every item is dated and pulled if it is not sold in ninety days. She also has a rule that for every one item that she puts on the sales floor, one item must come off. The store is organized with a place for everything and everything in its place. Nothing offered in her store is broken, missing pieces or of low quality. Atalie takes pride in what she offers as an alternative to high cost brand new items. Thriftique specializes in high quality second hand goods.
The heart of Thriftique is a commitment to community. Buycks currently has an individual from Michigan Works working in her establishment as a part of her community service. She will offer items on trade. Bring in household goods or clothing in good condition that you no longer use and she will give you in store credit. Occasionally, she will come and purchase the remnants of church sales on their last day. She intentionally visits on the last day so that those in the community can shop and the church doesn’t end up with a large load to take care of. Buyck’s eye is on how her store can be a blessing to everyone involved.
Buycks has wonderfully creative ways to surprise those you love with gifts that are outside of the big box store norm. Come into Thriftique and let Atalie help you find a unique way to package your gift. Bake cookies and place them on a beautiful silver platter or fill vintage wine glasses with Christmas candy. If you find a tea pot or vase on the shelves of Thriftique, fill it with winter greens and forget the wrapping all together. Find a vintage sign or coffee cup with a messagethat fits someone you love perfectly.
This Christmas is the perfect time to reconsider how we give gifts. Tis’ the season for giving and in giving we should find joy in finding something special. Any gift you give from Thriftique will have a story, a purpose and reason to be delighted in. We all want to be given a gift that was purchase with only ourselves in mind. Step into Thriftique and let Atalie help you find it.
Thriftique is located at 807 E. Grand River just east of the heart of Old Town. Store hours are from 10:00am-6:00pm Monday through Friday and 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturdays. Mastercard, Visa and checks are all accepted and 30 day layaway is available. There is a sale the first Saturday of every month on top of a daily special. For more information, call 517-580-7731 and Atalie will be happy to tell you more about her shop!
Tashmica Torok is a local entrepreneur, blogger and community activist. Her blog, The Mother Flippin’: One Funny Mother, is about encouraging women to improve the world through thoughtful, honest parenting, responsible business practices and advocacy for those less fortunate. And laughter…loads of laughter! http://mother-flippin.blogspot.com/
This article was printed in the December 19, 2010 – January 1, 2011 edition.
