Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz spotted a Rolling Stones tongue on a shelf at The White Rabbit and immediately thought of Gov. Ned Lamont. It was the kind of find that fit the occasion.

By Mia Jaworski

National Thrift Day, observed each Aug. 17, offers a look at how secondhand shopping has evolved from a way to find inexpensive goods into a mainstream form of shopping, particularly among younger consumers looking for affordability, individuality and a more sustainable alternative to buying new.

At West Hartford’s White Rabbit, that shift can be seen in the store’s mix of vintage and consignment clothing, local art, antiques and one-of-a-kind finds.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz visited the small Park Road antique and secondhand shop Monday to mark National Thrift Store Day.

“Bohemian, I love it,” Bysiewicz said as she looked around the shop at 214 Park Road.

The Rolling Stones item caught her attention because of Gov. Ned Lamont’s longtime admiration for the band. Bysiewicz recalled that Lamont presented guitarist Keith Richards with the inaugural Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence in March 2025. Richards, a longtime Connecticut resident, was recognized for his contributions to the arts and Connecticut communities.

The tongue-shaped gift was one of many objects competing for attention inside The White Rabbit, which has been open on Park Road for nine years, according to owner Emily King.

White Rabbit offers a mix of old and new

The store carries furniture, vintage and consignment clothing, jewelry, antiques, gifts and work by local artists. Its inventory spans decades, with shelves and drawers filled with objects ranging from vintage jewelry and plates depicting the Connecticut Capitol to furniture and local artwork.

King said the West Hartford shop differs from the store she previously operated in Mansfield. The Park Road location has more modern, crafty local art and more youthful clothing, she said.

And now, in August, some shoppers are looking for another seasonal staple: back-to-school clothes. Items will also be tax-free during Connecticut’s annual tax-free week, which runs Aug. 16-22.

For Bysiewicz, the appeal of secondhand shopping is hardly new. She said she has been thrifting since college and goes shopping with her Brooklyn-based children when they visit Connecticut.

“That’s what they want to do,” she said.

Bysiewicz’s experience is part of a broader shift in how Americans shop.

According to Capital One Shopping’s 2026 compilation of thrift and resale statistics, the United States has more than 25,000 resale, consignment, and nonprofit resale shops. About 16% to 18% of Americans shop at thrift stores in a typical year, while 12% to 15% shop at consignment or resale stores. The U.S. secondhand market is estimated at $61 billion in 2026, an 8.2% increase from the previous year.

Thrifting draws a younger crowd

Younger shoppers are an especially important part of that market.

Capital One Shopping reports that 83% of Gen Z consumers have either purchased or are interested in purchasing secondhand apparel. About 34% say they always shop at thrift stores, and two out of five items in the average Gen Z closet are secondhand. Thirty percent of Gen Z shoppers who buy secondhand do so to afford higher-end brands.

The same research says 64% of Gen Z consumers search for an item secondhand before buying it new.

The appeal goes beyond affordability

That makes thrift shopping about more than simply finding a cheap shirt.

For younger shoppers, secondhand stores can offer access to vintage styles, designer labels, unusual piece,s and clothing that does not look like everything else on a fast-fashion rack. The appeal also comes from the scavenging.

“People can find anything online. But with thrifting, it’s a treasure hunt,” said West Hartford resident Nancy Scanlon. “All of it is unique and has a story.”

“Thrifting reflects individuals, and that’s how I think fashion should be,” said Scanlon, 23, who was shopping at Goodwill.

There is also an economic and environmental argument for extending the life of clothing and other goods rather than buying new ones. And for consignment stores, the transaction can give owners a way to put unwanted belongings back into circulation while receiving money for them.

“A lot of people who bring things are bringing it from their families,” King said.

At The White Rabbit, that element of discovery is part of the store’s appeal, with antique furniture beside local art, vintage clothing beside contemporary consignment pieces and drawers of jewelry offering something different to each shopper.

Park Road keeps the hunt going

The spirit of discovery will continue beyond National Thrift Day as the Park Road neighborhood prepares for more community events.

On Oct. 3, the Park Road Association will hold “Fall for Park,” a new community festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature family activities, live entertainment, special promotions and an antique trolley connecting businesses along Park Road. Organizers say the festival builds on the tradition of the former Park Road Parade.

For King, the event will offer another opportunity to bring shoppers into the neighborhood, and perhaps send them home with something they never expected to find.

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