My daughter Michala and I have a great love for thrift store shopping. It’s our mom-daughter thing that we enjoy doing together.

Our fondness for thrift stores began when we lived in Tennessee. There was a Goodwill store about four miles from our house. We would visit the Goodwill regularly, especially when the store had its half off sale. That was when we found the best deals.

I guess you could say we were regulars. Not that the store clerks knew our names or anything, but I’m pretty sure at least one of the clerks recognized us. We’d raid the shoe section together — Michala trying on super high heels while I’d always shake my head in disapproval and say, “Don’t even think about it.”

“Aw, Mom!” she’d say. Clearly, I needed to “get with it.”

Then it was off to look at the handbags and see if we could find a cute purse for the season.

Mom-Daughter Thrifty Fashion Style

When I go thrift store shopping, I am usually on the hunt for vintage fashion. I have snagged a few chic vintage dresses and skirts from Goodwill. Michala, on the other hand, loves finding anything unique. She has a very eclectic style, usually, mix matching colors and patterns. I guess that’s called a hipster? I feel old adding a question mark at the end of that, but I seriously don’t know what to call it.

I just know she always finds the cutest clothes at the thrift store and throws her outfits together so effortlessly. Perhaps, I should have her give her ol’ mom a makeover some time.

Michala loves mixing colors and patterns with her thrifty finds. I wish I could pull this look off.
I bought this vintage blue floral dress at a Goodwill in Tennessee. Vintage is one of the styles I look for when I go thrift store shopping.

The Good Shop — a Goodwill Pop-Up

Our love for thrifty shopping was the perfect reason to accept Goodwill’s invitation to check out their pop-up shop The Good Shop! When I told Michala about the invitation, she was very excited. A thrift shop pop-up in the city? She had to be there!

The Good Shop — a Goodwill pop-up shop for Wayne State University (WSU) students and the surrounding community, was a three-day event held September 14 through the 16th at Cass Cafe in Downtown Detroit.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit partnered with WSU’s HIGH Program to create a fashion pop-up shop in the loft of Cass Cafe. This was Goodwill’s first time doing a pop-up with WSU.

 

High Program – Helping Individuals Go Higher

According to HIGH’s official website, the organization helps financially stressed students reach their goal to graduate. It provides resources for students-in-need, such as:

  • child-care assistance
  • clothing
  • housing support
  • textbooks and other school supplies
  • transportation

“To ensure that no student abandons their dream of earning a degree solely because of housing or financial challenges.” — The HIGH Program’s mission Helping Individuals Go Higher

 

The Good Shop A Goodwill Pop Up
The Good Shop: A Goodwill Pop Up | September 14 -16, 2017, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit partnered with Wayne State University’s High Program to present a fashion pop-up shop for students and the community.

The Good Shop featured preloved fashion trends at an affordable price with an additional 50% off. These prices were irresistible: t-shirts for $2.99, blazers for $5.49, and jackets/coats for $9.49!

The Good Shop was a chic pop-up shop located in the loft of the Cass Cafe (September 14-16, 2017).
On September 14, 2017, I was excited to visit The Good Shop at Cass Cafe!

Goodwill Industries passion to support Wayne State University Students

During my visit at The Good Shop, I met Jessica McCall, Vice President of Marketing and External Affairs for Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, and Lauren Wallen, Marketing Manager at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. After browsing the clothing styles, I sat down with McCall to learn more about The Good Shop and Goodwill’s passion to support WSU students.

McCall told me the purpose of The Good Shop was to give WSU students the opportunity to learn about Goodwill Industries’ stores and engage the community in a different way. That way was a trendy pop-up which featured chic dresses, blouses, denim jeans, blazers, jean jackets, and shirts. “That was important to us because we want people to understand what you’re looking for you can find at Goodwill.”

Men’s and women’s clothing was available for customers to browse. A pop-up dressing room was even created for people to try on clothing.

“We want people to understand what you’re looking for you can find at Goodwill.” — Jessica McCall, Vice President of Marketing and External Affairs of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit

The Good Shop
The purpose of The Good Shop was to give WSU students the opportunity to learn about Goodwill Industries’ stores and engage the community in a different way.
The Good Shop
Lauren Wallen, Marketing Manager for Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, created a pop-up dressing room for customers to try on clothing at The Good Shop Pop Up.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit The Good Shop

The Good Shop Positively Impacts Students

Featuring a pop-up shop like The Good Shop positively impacts students because, as McCall said, “It’s giving them one less thing to think about.” She went on to say The Good Shop will play a big role in helping students get through the semester.

WSU students were notified of The Good Shop event by email, flyers posted around campus, and the university’s student life organization. Goodwill also specifically worked with the HIGHER Program to connect with the program’s participants. The participants were given $20 in clothing merchandise. They were able to select clothing from The Good Shop for free, up to $20.

Wallen and Detroit fashion stylist Lindsey Alexander curated the clothing for The Good Shop. Alexander has great experience in the fashion industry and working with pop-ups. McCall said she played a big role in curating the shop.

Featuring a pop-up shop like The Good Shop positively impacts students because, as McCall said, “It gives them one less thing to think about.”

The Good Shop
The Good Shop featured cute clothing styles like this polka dot, denim vest.
The Good Shop
Wallen and Detroit fashion stylist Lindsey Alexander curated the clothing for The Good Shop. Alexander has great experience in the fashion industry and working with pop-ups.

 

Goodwill Industries: More Than Just a Store

“Goodwill, in general, is so much more than just our stores,” McCall said. Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit offers employment and training programs for the community and for college students. In fact, WSU students will receive a first priority look for employment. What this means is students seeking employment will have the opportunity to be interviewed for a position.

Goodwill Industries is very supportive of college students. “Goodwill can provide [the] support making sure you’re employed,” McCall said. She went on to say Goodwill can also ensure students have the career skills they need. “You may want to be a dentist or nurse, but right now you may need to be a welder to help pay your way through school. Goodwill is able to provide that support for students.”

“Goodwill, in general, is so much more than just our stores.” — Jessica McCall

Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit The Good Shop
I enjoyed meeting Jessica McCall and Lauren Wallen from Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit! I hope Goodwill will feature another pop-up shop again!

Goodwill shows compassion and flexibility for college students.

Goodwill is flexible with students’ class schedules and even major life events. McCall said Goodwill understands the “challenges” students may face in life, such as being a single parent or having a vehicle breakdown. “We’re a little bit more compassionate about the challenges that people are experiencing when you have other things to think about besides just getting to work.”

For students interested in working for Goodwill Industries, they can either go through WSU or contact Goodwill Industries directly by visiting its official website here. Make sure you indicate you are a Wayne State University student.

 

My thoughts on Goodwill’s The Good Shop:

I loved the idea of creating a Goodwill pop-up shop for college students and the community! I’m already a big lover of thrifty shopping, but to provide a means for students to have clothing that is not only trendy but also affordable is such a wonderful idea. I wish there would have been a feature like this when I was in college! I would have definitely jumped at the opportunity.

I am also impressed with Goodwill Industries’ dedication and passion to help college students find employment within the Goodwill company.

Goodwill’s commitment to the college student’s success in their academic career and in life is truly making a great difference in the community. It can be a challenge finding an employer who is willing to work with college students. When you can find a job that supports and understands your collegiate pursuits, it makes life less stressful. The last thing you should have to worry about is choosing your job over school.

 

Will there be another Goodwill Pop-up?

I asked McCall if Goodwill will feature another pop-up shop for students again. She told me The Good Shop was a good opportunity to see how things would go and Goodwill will consider doing pop-ups in the future.

After my visit to The Good Shop, I hope Goodwill Industries will feature another pop-up shop soon!

 

 

Special thanks to Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit for inviting me to experience The Good Shop and learn more about their great passion for helping college students succeed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].