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Aug 09, 2023

Sparrow's Nest clothes and household pantry in Harrison helps stretch dollars, save environment

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Dakota Kuniak browsed the clothes racks and artwork at the new Sparrow’s Nest

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

Dakota Kuniak browsed the clothes racks and artwork at the new Sparrow’s Nest pantry in Harrison, commenting on the mounds of items available for free.

“This is so great for people who need help,” said the teen, an eighth grader at Mary Queen of Apostles in New Kensington. “It’s also great for the environment. Why would you go buy new stuff when all this is available?”

The Sparrow’s Nest is a new ministry by the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches. It marked its grand opening July 27 at 1917 Freeport Road, across Harvard Avenue from McDonald’s.

The corner house sits adjacent to the association’s office and food bank, and is brimming with blankets, pillows, artwork, dishes, towels, swimwear, men’s suits, shoes and more.

There is no charge or income qualification to participate, Executive Director Karen Snair said.

The store will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Shoppers can fill a bag for each member of their household.

Snair said the secondhand spot was a natural extension of the association’s services.

“Before the pandemic, we always had clothes and other items out for food bank participants to take,” she said.

While covid shut down drop-in services, it didn’t stop people from donating to AVAC. Snair said the basement and all four bedrooms on the second floor of the house are filled with stock.

“If you can think of it, it’s probably here,” Snair said.

The Sparrow’s Nest is among three thrift shops open Wednesdays in Harrison.

Becky’s Closet is open inside Faith Lutheran Church on Freeport Road. Across the street, the Agape Thrift Store has operated since the 1980s in the basement of Grace United Methodist Church.

Shoppers at both churches are likely to find higher-end merchandise at bargain prices, which appeals to many people with a passion for repurposing.

According to online consignment store ThredUp, thrifting has become a $28 billion industry that is expected to eclipse fast fashion by 2029.

There are more than 25,000 resale, consignment or not-for-profit shops in the United States.

Young shoppers in particular have embraced secondhand fashion faster than any other age group. They account for more than 40% of global consumers.

“Some of this stuff is so nice,” Kuniak said. “Why would you spend a lot of money when you don’t have to?”

Sixty-two percent of Gen Z and millennials said they look for items secondhand before buying new, according to the Association of Resale Professionals.

Much of the reason is because they are environmentally conscious, and thrifting reduces carbon footprints and slashes the amount of items that end up in landfills.

Of course, there are others who are interested not just in the fashion of recycling but who need to stretch their dollars.

“Sometimes, it’s just something simple like a Tupperware measuring cup,” Snair said. “Someone might not have 20 extra bucks to spend on that.

“Our thought is that it comes in free, so it goes out free.”

Sparrow’s Nest volunteer Kay Mason said people coming through the new store are thanking organizers for providing quality merchandise.

“They’re so excited, you can hear it in their voice,” Mason said. “We tell them, ‘Don’t thank us, it’s the people who keep donating so much.’ ”

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

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