MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Back-to-school shopping can be an expensive proposition. However, it doesn’t have to break the bank.
At Pak Ratz Thrift Store in Marquette, families are finding big savings on clothes, supplies, and other items. Store manager Nikki Durand says the deals are stacking up for students of all ages this fall.
“We’ve had a lot of out-of-towners with their Northern kids starting and the back-to-school kiddos with their moms, kind of trying to save some money, give back to their community at the same time, but also benefitting their family too,” she said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Local mother Jamie Holbrook says thrifting new outfits for her young boys helps to lessen the financial impact of back-to-school shopping.
“It’s just a good way to save money and get clothes that are still in good use,” said Holbrook.
According to Durand, it’s important to check out the sales when thrifting.
“Those change every month on our clothing tags, so you can walk out of here with free clothing that we have in bins too, when it’s the color tags,” she explained. “This month, it’s the green tags on clothing. You can walk out of here with a handful of clothing that you never even had to pay a dime for.”
For Durand, this is an exciting time of year to work at Pak Ratz.
“I love when back-to-school happens and the moms come in with her coffee on Tuesday morning or Monday morning or whenever the school starts, and they’re like, ‘Good morning! How is everybody?'” she said. “You know, they get some more little time to themselves. Summers get along for those stay at home parents.”
Whether hunting for backpacks, jeans, or just a bargain, Pak Ratz and other thrift stores in the area are helping families head back to school, while easing some of the sticker shock.
