Coloradans choose thrifting for Halloween costumes, decor | News [Video]

Coloradans with $20 in their pockets are poppin’ tags for a second-hand Halloween.

Gently-used costumes, decorations and customers are overflowing at Goodwill Colorado and ARC Thrift, especially on half-off days.

Maggie Scivicque, Vice-President of Marketing for ARC Thrift, said the second-hand buying experience has been big since the first Colorado ARC store opened in 1968. Thrift store shopping is a habit and “Halloween is often the gateway,” she said. “People come in the fall to get ready for the holidays and they’re hooked.”

Colorado is ranked 8th among thrifting states according to the Nasty Gal website. The top four hot spots were New York, Oregon, California and Wyoming.

The thrifting phenomenon caught fire during COVID.

“Young people were bored at home and they realized they could get deals at our stores and resell them online,” said Scivicque.

Today, there are 36 Colorado ARC stores with the most recent opening at Mineral and South Broadway in Littleton.