,enegade bE ° q p : ePorge = ahs : ‘ ’ ond We pre ” o n — ° we h d 0 . yht to co d O ill include the West Ko aaa : ' ld h 0 o teal 4 j T 23 © Geo Shee ets in poar-ol6 20 soup * 4 our p “id © o ce Geo plo fi o Good op Za ] : tiauke = 8 . sys 0 d 0 mis paving And Landscaping Dc ve ve oped U 0 A s a OD 0 ping to ae, that’s ot Oo 4 4 eP pe ie d o o dam Units available in OUNE Wweernenen ee has used it before Sarorent Has arene Professiona dscaped a my tournament,” STARTING AT a ook that field “108, SOOO | iui ostvasner | tor hed tte ata" Choose yours today! 0 Units in Tot he peor SHOWHOME OPEN DAILY: Mon.-Fri. 9 am - 4 pm « Sat.-Sun. 12 noon - 4 pm ‘ aye aie ae fraow append oa traumas te ccrerted pron of the tm bahoe the coupon reduction is epped. Coupon valid undil 3 Sarena (Qe Frozen. Approx. 10-12 oz. each. While stocks last. CARL'S PL AZA ite: 365-7269 They're ‘re modern-day pirates looking for hidden booty. But instead of using ships and swords they use vehicles and spare change. You can spot them from a mile away by the broad smile they’re wearing as they find a priceless treasure they know they can afford. You can’t miss them as they cruise the aisles looking for a bargain that meets their budget. They are the ones wearing a smile as they proudly spot a brand-name outfit which you know cost close to $100 retail—but which they bought for only a fraction of the price. Who are they? They are a growing population who, in an era gon cost and shrinking paycheques, have discovered thrift bargains. Castlegar resident Cathy Ross has been bargain hunting for almost 20 years. With an eye for quality and style, and a job which consistently puts her in the public eye, Cathy is always on the lookout for quality and stylish outfits at bargain prices. “I browse regularly. You never know where the clothes come from—some people only wear clothes for one season and then get rid of them. I get the benefit of other people shopping in Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver.” Cathy said that when. shopping for clothing she looks for brand names, quality, and style, and just because an item is priced attractively doesn’t mean that she will purchase it . “T like nice things like satin or rayon. I know quality when I see it, but I’m very picky—I shop for name-brands.” Cathy estimates that she only pays 25 per cent of the cost For only a few doll Pam Porter knows that shopping at thrift stores can be fun. checks out a pedir hc aaah alia Clemmy might match the outfit she just bought. z The Castlegar Sun she would pay if she were to purchase the same item from a retail store. Besides stretching her clothing budget, she also finds plea- sure bet a browsing. Clemmy Duke knows a person can find many hidden treasures, and practical items at thrift stores. Glemmy is able to purchase many items that might have otherwise cost a small fortune. Bargain shopping can mean fun and closeness for mother and daughter. WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994 “Tt’s also a leisure activity and a hobby.” Although Cathy admits she is picky when shopping at thrift shops, she said there are fantastic bargains to be found. “Tf I shop carefully I could have a new wardrobe every year.” Cathy said she doesn’t go out of her way to inform people that her wardrobe was purchased in a thrift shop, but stressed she's not ashamed of doing so. In fact, she said thrift store shopping is becoming more attractive to people of all income levels. “It crosses over all income brackets. Thrift stores have their regulars. Anybody likes to look for good brand-names without paying brand-name prices. I once found a Simon Chang. sweater which costs about $90 for $5.” As well as finding clothing in thrift stores, Cathy said she has been able to find other items, such as home furnishings, tools, jewellry and dishes at cut-rate prices. So, the next time you see a well-dressed person walking down the street and you wonder where they bought their fab- uloug outfit, the answer may be as close as St. David's Thrift Shop, The Treasure Shop, or the Salvation Army in Castlegar. esides helping shoppers stretch their budget further, thyift shops have another and just as valuable side. All money earned in local thrift shops is dispersed throughout the community for such items as the food bank, or donations towards Castlegar and District Hospital. Last year alone there were at least three donations made to Castlégar Hospital. nee » Mas Proving that shopping isn't always serious business Clemmy tries on a top hat. Looking through clothes racks and bargain bins, Cathy, Clemmy, and Pam look for items that catch their eye and might fit into their wardrobe. Photos and story: Karen Kerkhoff