T he hunt is on. Bargain hunters across America wait all year for National Thrift Shop Day: a single day dedicated to celebrating the art of thrifting. Whether you’re a first-time thrifter or a seasoned secondhand shopper, mark your calendar for August 17 and get ready to join the nationwide hunt for the best bargains.
Fueled by the rising cost of living, an uncertain economy, and a rejection of fast fashion, secondhand shopping is skyrocketing in popularity. According to online reseller ThredUp, America’s secondhand market is estimated to be worth $61 billion, up 8.2 percent from last year. By 2029, that number is expected to grow to $74 billion.
Ambie Hay of Palm Beach Thrifters has been riding the thrift trend for decades. Through her popular Instagram account—@palmbeachthrifters—Hay showcases a colorful array of thrift store finds she discovers daily. Posted photos of fabulous furniture, glorious glassware, chic clothing, and nearly-new knickknacks show off Hay’s keen eye for treasure hunting. It’s a calling she says she inherited from her mother.
“I grew up in a family that loved design,” says Hay. “My mom has a great eye. We were always in and out of antique shops.”
Hay says she even owned retail shops in Nantucket and Vero Beach before deciding to trade a life inside a storefront for a life out on the road. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to be out thrifting and finding wonderful things instead of working in retail?’” she recalls.
Today, the Jupiter resident spends her life unearthing hidden treasures at local thrift stores and sharing them with her fan base online. She has also published a series of Thrifting Guides with maps, favorite local shops, and insider tips that bargain hunters can pay to download—plus a children’s book titled Nifty the Thrifter, which features a treasure-hunting dog named Nifty…