Another place to buy, sell and trade old clothing for cash is now a possibility for Penn State students closer to campus.
The Attic store, 346 E. College Ave., opened Oct. 18 in downtown State College.
The store is a “unique cross between a consignment shop and a thrift store,” according to its website. Customers can sell their gently used clothing to The Attic to resell, and in turn receive 30 percent of the sticker price in cash or 55 percent in store credit, according to the website.
Owner Anne Kuronyi, Class of 1998, was working in the television and film industry when she realized her interest in opening a store for young men and women.
“The buy, sell and trade stores were very prevalent in the West at the time,” Kuronyi said. “I realized this could be a great niche in college towns.”
Opening its first physical location in Kutztown in 2003, The Attic currently boasts four stores including its newest in State College, and an online e-commerce store, Kuronyi said.
A location in State College has been an idea in mind for a long time now, Kuronyi said.
“My parents have been asking me over the years when I was going to open a store in State College,” Kuronyi said. “I realized there was nothing like this downtown. Most stores had higher price points.”
Though other buy, sell and trade stores like Buffalo Exchange and Beacon's Closet have locations on the East Coast, The Attic is set apart by its large jewelry selection and lower prices, Kuronyi said.
Elysia Mann (senior-marketing) applied to work at the store as soon as she heard it was set to open in State College.
“I live outside Philly, and visit the Manayunk store all the time,” Mann said. “I was excited to see one opening here.”
Similar to the Attic's aesthetic, Plato's Closet, 1526 N. Atherton St., offers cash or store credit to shoppers wanting to clean out their wardrobes.
Plato's Closet Store Manager Justin Baker said their target market reaches beyond college-aged students.
“The Attic is definitely competition,” Baker said. “However, our target market ranges from 13 to 30 [years old]. Even my mom find things here all the time.”
Differing from both stores is the local Goodwill store, which operates as a non-profit, Executive Vice President of Retail/Workforce Development Jason Marshall said.
“There is a huge difference,” Marshall said. “Profits from Goodwill go back into the community to aid disabled persons and help them find jobs.”
But Kuroyni said she is very optimistic about the State College location, and already had a great turnout this past opening weekend.
“When I first started, it was hard to get people past the stigma of used clothes,” Kuroyni said. “But now it is a cool thing to wear different, vintage items.”
