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It all started with a pair of Sorel boots, and the pursuit of a bargain. The Humble Pearl, Carrington's new thrift store and boutique, opened at 1080 1st Street South in Carrington on July 4.
"I've always been a thrift shopper," owner Amy Hinrichs said Monday. She went searching for a deal on those coveted Sorel boots, and her quest turned into a business.
"You can dress nice without having to spend a fortune," Hinrichs said. As a business owner, she is determined to offer community members great deals on nice things.
Hinrichs brings years of experience in retail merchandising and customer service to the venture. She has worked at TJ Maxx, Kmart and Alco. A self-proclaimed "shoe snob," she was the shoe department manager at Kmart for a time.
The Humble Pearl is an eclectic mix of new and pre-owned items, from clothing and home decor to shoes and even small furniture pieces.
To her surprise, women's clothing is among the most purchased items in the store. On this particular day, a neutral shacket and felt hat was on display facing the door. With the weather turning colder, she had spent hours refreshing the store the day before.
That's the trick: Keep the inventory fresh and the prices affordable, she surmises, and the customers will keep coming back.
How does she do it? She puts her thrifting skills to work by seeking out good buys from flea markets, thrift stores, wholesalers and even other retail stores. She also offers her customers the opportunity to "recycle" unwanted items by bringing them to the store for her to sell. In exchange, the customer receives $5 in-store credit once per month.
That strategy has seemed to work well for her so far in her first four months of business.
For marketing, she uses social media. She maintains two Facebook pages: a public store page and a private group page. The latter, Humble Pearl Floor Drops, is where customers can see what's new in the store, snag a one-of-a-kind thrift buy, or find a sale.
On Halloween, she had costumes for $1, and brand new crewneck sweatshirts with a ghost screenprint were on sale for $19.99 for group members.
She posted several times on Monday. A new shipment of Coyer candles, Yellowstone tees and a variety of books for $1 each were among the items showcased.
As for the future, she has bigger plans. More space, that is, for other sellers to bring their items, similar to a flea market. However, the sellers will be able to bring their items marked for sale, and she will handle the checkout.
Overall, the goal is to keep overhead low so shoppers can continue to find great deals.
Everyone has spending priorities, Hinrichs said. Her priority is taking her family on vacation to Florida every year. Thrift shopping and deal seeking for the clothing and shoes her family needs are what makes it possible, so she is in business to help others with the same thrifty goals to find what they need for less.
Being a part of the community is also important to Hinrichs. She donated items from her store to a community clothing drive in October. "I'm just paying it forward," Hinrichs said in a Facebook post.
With the holidays around the corner, her "Wall of Christmas" near the front counter will change regularly. Come early and often for a range of Christmas decor, gifts and other holiday items.
The Humble Pearl's store hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; 2 - 7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays.