In Chicago, secondhand stores are reporting a significant uptick in sales as rising prices, driven by tariffs, push consumers to seek alternatives to new clothing and accessories.
For many shoppers, purchasing used items has always been a budget-friendly option, but recent economic conditions have accelerated this trend. With the ongoing trade war initiated under President Donald Trump, resale shops and online platforms have experienced a consistent growth in business over the last few years.
Richard Biasi, owner of Richard’s Fabulous Finds in Humboldt Park, noted a 20% increase in sales compared to last year. His vintage menswear shop specializes in clothing from the 70s and 80s, and includes unique items such as suits, hats, ties, and home decor.
Biasi observed that his customers are now more discerning about their purchases, often gravitating towards well-made vintage pieces that are less accessible at new retail prices. He highlighted one of his suits, a 1980s tweed, retailing between $125 and $200 as an example of quality items that can be found in his shop.
“I think a lot of people are more conscious now and don’t want to buy new because new is not made as well,” he stated. “They’re coming to buy vintage suiting because it’s made better.”
The appeal of secondhand goods has surged, with the secondhand clothing market growing by 117% from 2018 to 2024, according to a report by Capital One. In 2023 alone, the resale clothing market expanded at a rate 15 times quicker than that of the conventional retail clothing sector, with an anticipated growth of 17% per year in the online resale market through 2028.
Many younger shoppers are particularly drawn to vintage clothing, viewing it as environmentally sustainable. Biasi remarked, “Some younger people love the fact that it’s not new because it’s better for the environment. It’s almost more chic to not buy new.”
Despite the rising sales figures, shop owners express uncertainty about future trends as tariffs could potentially limit consumer spending overall. Besides this, the increase in supply costs for essentials like gift bags and tissue paper poses additional challenges. Biasi mentioned that prices for these materials, many sourced from China, have surged nearly 20%.
“That was a hard check to write,” Biasi sighed. “But I’d rather have it. When you have such small margins, as many of us small businesses do, every penny adds up. There are a lot of small businesses that are going to suffer big-time. Some consumers are going to get turned off by prices. I mean, a $5 difference makes a huge difference to a lot of people.”
Charlotte Walters, co-owner of Lost Eras in Rogers Park, observed a similar trend. More customers are arriving at her store looking for affordable, quality clothing, driving her vintage clothing and antiques business. “People are really not happy at all with the retail market,” Walters commented, explaining that economic worries are a significant factor behind increased sales.
Customers at Lost Eras are particularly interested in high-quality vintage fabrics, like wool and leather, that many cannot afford to buy new. Momo Burns, the store’s manager, noted that while sales have increased modestly, there is uncertainty concerning potential price hikes for the costume side of their business.
“We’ve heard from our suppliers and customers, and they’ve said to brace for price increases,” Burns said, voicing her concerns about the impact of tariffs on business operations.
For shoppers like Terrie Gary, prioritizing secondhand purchases is a practical response to escalating living costs. “Clothing prices, food prices, they’re up everywhere,” noted Gary. “It’s so expensive to eat healthy, and I try to eat healthy. So I have to kind of find the balance on everything.”
Juan Martinez, a resident of Evanston, embraced the secondhand movement when seeking a leather jacket. He expressed satisfaction with his experience at Lost Eras, stating, “I’ll be coming more in the future. The items are good quality, and the price is much much less.”
Lost Eras offers many items at affordable prices, with shirts and blouses ranging from $5 to $10 and pants costing $20 or less. Erica Whitman, a costume designer for a theater production, shared her concerns about keeping costs down due to a limited budget as she picked out accessories.
“Tariffs really weren’t on our mind back in March when we started to rehearse,” Whitman said, advocating for the value of unique, pre-owned items in combatting reliance on online shopping outlets like Amazon. “It is better for the environment. It’s economic, and it’s fun.”
The rising interest in consignment shopping has also been noted by Joanne Nusbaum, who owns My Sister’s Closet in Edgebrook. Despite increasing sales and heightened interest in consigning goods, she expressed trepidation about the future, with some customers facing job losses that could impact spending.
“Many of my customers have lost their jobs,” Nusbaum explained, echoing concerns that this trend could affect overall sales. Having run her store for over 40 years, she recalls the impact of previous economic downturns.
“During the Great Recession that started in 2007, my regulars cut back on spending, some having lost their jobs,” she recounted, highlighting the significance of maintaining an online presence to offset sales declines.
Alejandra Lopez, who operates McShane’s Exchange in Lincoln Park, noted an increase in foot traffic and interest from people wanting to sell items. “Recessions are always really good for secondhand and consignment businesses,” Lopez remarked, citing the resilient nature of her business even through the pandemic.
As public consciousness grows around the environmental impact of fast fashion, a fresh group of consumers seeks out alternatives to traditional retail. According to Lopez, “Interest in alternatives to fast fashion has increased over the years, especially with younger generations. It’s also significantly cheaper to buy used than it is at other stores.”
Nilüfer Lily Kaya, a consistent shopper at consignment stores, remarked on her commitment to avoiding fast fashion. “When we contribute to fast fashion, it is just a small drop in the puddle of what is making the environmental crisis so much worse,” she expressed, emphasizing her desire to combat this issue through mindful purchasing behaviors.
Despite the rising costs associated with new clothing, Kaya articulated her assurance that the impact on her personal spending would be minimal. “I don’t think on a personal level I’m going to be affected by it too much,” she said, while acknowledging broader economic concerns.
Leslee Nissen, who frequents resale and consignment shops for her clothing needs, expressed her satisfaction with savings realized from such changes. “You get so much more value with consignment,” she noted while shopping at McShane’s. “I just don’t want to pay full price anymore.”
As the story unfolds, Chicago’s secondhand market continues to attract attention from both budget-conscious shoppers and sustainability advocates, with store owners hopeful for continued growth amidst economic uncertainty.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/consumer-affairs/2025/06/06/secondhand-thrift-stores-tariffs-trump-trade-war-clothes-shopping
