‘Buy-sell-trade party’: ThriftCon is coming to Charlotte to share sustainable fashion

Mari Pressley
·2 min read

Longing for a nostalgic trip to the flea market and more sustainable clothing options? You’re in luck because ThriftCon, a market with over 150 vintage clothing and collectible vendors, will make its way to Charlotte for the first time ever on Dec. 3.

Whether you’re in a ‘70s groove or a Y2K mood, at this “buy-sell-trade party,” you’ll have the option of buying secondhand and vintage clothing with some pieces starting at just $1 and typically ranging from $10 to $50.

ThriftCon, which was founded in 2019 by co-founders Mars Conte, David Bywater and Ken Meade, was first hosted exclusively in Denver, Colorado. The convention, which now travels all over the country, intends to bring the secondhand lifestyle to mainstream audiences with the mission of encouraging “a more sustainable way of life through vintage clothing and collectibles, showing people firsthand what living secondhand can do.”

“In order to build something that supports these small businesses in the cities we go to, we always reach out to local brick-and-mortar stores or online resellers in the area and offer them opportunities to grow with the event — like being a featured name on the lineup or host the event’s pre-parties,” said Brian Frederick, ThriftCon’s media and vendor manager.

For its upcoming convention in Charlotte, you can expect a special ‘90s and Y2K section featuring several local vendors. It was curated by the team at Noughties Market, which puts on its own thrifting and secondhand events at Petty Thieves Brewing.

“They were great to work with and helped us big time with something that we likely wouldn’t have been able to do on our own,” Frederick said.

While ThriftCon is also hosting a pre-party on Dec. 1 at Old News Vintage, there will be a mix of both out-of-state vendors and Charlotte locals. ThriftCon, which has previously visited cities like Atlanta, Houston and Las Vegas, will also feature vendors like VintageZac and Rare Vntg.

“Honestly, there is no ThriftCon without local vendors stepping up and making it happen,” Frederick said.

Noughties Market CLT, which you may be familiar with from its previous pop-ups at Heist Brewery, will participate in ThriftCon.
Noughties Market CLT, which you may be familiar with from its previous pop-ups at Heist Brewery, will participate in ThriftCon.

And if you’re already in the giving spirit, ThriftCon will also feature a clothing drive, all of which will not be sold but sent its local partner, Charlotte Rescue Mission.

ThriftCon

Location: The Park Expo & Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205

When: Sunday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Tickets are $12 via ThriftCon’s website and $20 at the door. Kids under 13 get in for free. Early entry tickets (starting at 9 a.m.) are also available online for $30.

Instagram: @thrift_con