OHIO to host pop-up thrift market on April 4

While many of today’s college students fall under the Generation Z designation, a different label also applies: Generation Thrift. According to a new survey conducted by ThredUp, more than 60% of Gen Z consumers will purchase secondhand items. Factors such as cost, an interest in sustainability and the influence of social media continue to drive young people to the bargain bin.

With that in mind, Ohio University's Voinovich School, in partnership with the Sugar Bush Foundation, will host the OHIO Thrift Market, a pop-up event on April 4, on Morton Lawn at Ohio University’s Athens campus. Items will be solicited from two thrifting locations in the area: UpCycle Ohio and Goodwill of South Central Ohio.

The Voinovich School’s Nicole Kirchner and Aaron Kirby conducted surveys with OHIO students, and their research showed that transportation was the biggest obstacle for students interested in thrifting.

“It came up hundreds of times: ‘We just can't get out there, we don't have cars,’” said Kirchner.

The idea was ultimately hatched to bring the stores to campus.

“Think of it as a farmer’s market for thrifted materials,” Kirby added.

The seeds of the OHIO Thrift Market were planted as part of OHIO’s sustainability initiatives, including a recent community-wide event for international students. More than 200 enrollees took advantage of the items donated.

“They arrive on campus and don’t have anything besides what they can fit in a suitcase,” Kirchner explained. “It’s difficult for them to get what they need for a dorm or apartment.”

Maria Bonner, co-director of Rural Action’s Zero Waste initiative, says that international students and other campus groups have organically developed their own internal give-back programs, but the OHIO Thrift Market aims to open it up to the larger community.

“The University and Athens do the networking thing so well, but we’re hoping to tie all of it together to benefit everyone in Southeast Ohio,” Bonner said.

Kirchner expects most of the items available will be ones that are easily transported, such as kitchenware or clothing, but larger items might also be included.

“One idea is for the stores to take pictures of couches or chairs that are available,” Kirchner added. “Students could purchase it at the market, and we will work with them to arrange pickup and delivery.” 

Kirchner and Kirby hope the event will be a springboard for more regular pop-ups, including move-out/in dates and others throughout the semester.

“We know there is a significant population of students who are into thrifting and want to make conscious decisions,” said Kirchner. “So we're trying to get that circular economy to grow and solidify the reuse culture on campus.”

The OHIO Thrift Market will be open from 1-6 p.m. on April 4, and is open to the public.