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MPR News with Angela Davis
Angela Davis, Susan Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

Let's go thrifting! Exploring the past, present and future of buying secondhand

a rack of clothes
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.
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.

Listen back to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had 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 the 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.