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MPR News with Angela Davis
Angela Davis and Susan Davis

Let's go thrifting! Discover the history and fun of buying secondhand

a rack of clothes
A rack of clothes at a local thrift store
Arc's Value Village

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Minnesota has thousands of secondhand stores, from for-profit businesses to those tied to charities — all possible treasure troves for the determined thrifter. 

Thrifting can be a bonding experience across generations or part of self care. But the history of this popular pastime is more complicated than you might think.

Host Angela Davis talks with a historian who wrote a book about thrifting and a thrift store marketing manager about thrifting’s past, present and future. 


Guests: 

  • Jennifer Le Zotte is an assistant professor of history at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and author of the book “From Goodwill to Grunge: A History of Secondhand Styles and Alternative Economies.” 

  • Molly King is the marketing manager for Arc’s Value Village thrift stores in the Twin Cities.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.