I don’t know much about it. University College still looks the same. That’s the college where @buttertart met her husband the Labour Day before I was born!
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I’m some areas people donate their items to churches instead of thrift stores, or to Faith based thrift stores. In other areas there are consignment shops that get the good second hand items.
On the west coast it seems goodwill gets a lot of the second hand items, but not some other big cities I’ve visited in the South and East Coast.
You have an eye for the coolest stuff. Now I’ll keep my eyes open for something similar in my area.
I heart Yakima. I lived there for 6 weeks once during schooling and jogged in the evenings and readily understood why people would settle there.
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Keep an eye out for estate sales. I think collectors and re-sellers clean out the more valuable/desireable items then and only the last bits go to goodwill. I’ve gotten a some good deals and seen some cool houses.
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My oldest daughter did a summer internship in Boca Raton and was in thrifting heaven (she mostly thrifts for clothing).
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Estate sales are the way to go in Toronto. Amazing what some people get rid of when they downsize.
I donate my kitchen appliances and gadgets to Furniture Bank in Toronto, which distributes them free of charge to qualified people including refugees, abused people starting over, etc.
It’s a registered charity. I receive a small tax receipt.
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Your explanation is totally logical. I’ve definitely been to garage sales estate sales. Where are the unsold items go to Goodwill.
However, I am not sure I possess sufficient time management skills to look up estate sales in advance, and show up promptly when they open. But maybe I should give it a shot. Thanks.
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Be aware that you don’t have to be first in line at estate sales. On the last day of estate sales, stuff is usually at least half off and often less. Often the most esoteric items remain.
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If you did, you better have sharp elbows and maybe a bodyguard.
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Marvelous weapon. It does all the things you would expect extremely well and if you toss a smoked pork butt in with the paddle, it will shred it. Mine was bought in 1977 and has been in regular use ever since.
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Picked up one of these unused for $10 yesterday.
Interesting appliance.
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That’s very cool! And a steal.
It depends. People line up an hour or 2 before some estate sales in Toronto, especially in upscale neighbourhoods. It’s often picked over within an hour of opening.
Many companies post some of the items online in advance. It’s can be quite an experience around here.
The sharks are looking for things to make $$$.
I have the luxury of waiting and going midday since I’m old 
At least in my experience, kitchen items are not what they’re looking for unless something like fiesta ware or collectible cast iron.
Guns, gold, jewelry, furniture and so forth are always in demand.
I have friends here that were just junk/antique dealers like me.
They were smart and started buying houses AND the contents.
Great sales to go to and 
fun and they’re very successful.
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Big thrift score today:
It’s the shallow round Dutch oven about 12" across. Enamel is a bit stained, but no chips and still needs a clean. $25. The woman behind me in line couldn’t believe the price as she owns a whole set of the pots, but in a single colour.
This one will be well-loved.
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Absolutely true. In SF, people sign up as early as allowed then wait in their cars. At one particularly opulent sale years ago, I remember someone approaching the head of the line and asking who who sell their number. As the bidding rose, so did the interest/amusement. Someone ( a dealer we knew) sold his spot for $200. I would have in a heart beat.
We go to estate sales out of curiosity rather than need to buy. I am a bottomfeeder, and have little need for more stuff at essentially retail prices. And what I am looking for is not necessarily what the dealers/serious buyers are looking for. I love half off Sundays. If per chance something I had admired is still there, it’s mine for a song.
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I got a kick out of a Contents sale that I happened upon. The owner was downsizing from a large house.
Very posh inside. The seller was selling everything, including clothes still on hangers in the closet, and framed photos and diplomas. One diploma was a diploma from
Kindergarten. From this, I deduced that the owner of the house was an economist who was frequently interviewed on TV. I didn’t buy anything. I was amused by what was for sale.
The company selling this particular estate is a retired school teacher. He runs a very organized business.
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Score!
