This new thrift store in Cudahy comes right to your door
It’s usually easy to find something unique in a thrift store.
A new thrift store with a unique business model makes it even easier. In the case of Thrift on Wheels along Milwaukee County's South Shore, you don't even need to go to the store. The owners will bring it to you.
Thrift on Wheels started delivering deals in August to customers in Milwaukee County. Owner Sydney Larsen, a self-described “thrift head,” and her fiancée, Marshall Nies, live in Cudahy and drive their personal van to customers who can browse inventory on Facebook.
Larsen said she always wanted to own a business and this idea was a perfect marriage with her love of thrifting.
The soon-to-be-married couple said the response has been “shocking.” In three days, the duo had 150 likes on their Facebook page — 117 of them coming Day 1, according to Nies. They're now over 200.
“There’s so many good people and vibes that came our way,” Larsen said, adding she's heard many say they really like the idea of a thrift store on wheels.
The idea was a melding of Larsen’s dream to own a business and an idea Nies said just popped in his head during the pandemic.
Nies said people were afraid to go out during the pandemic.
“We don’t see anyone delivering thrift items,” he said.
It’s hard to miss the couple’s colorful van pulling up to wherever the client wants to meet, whether that's a residence or public place. Covered with hand-drawn images and wording for the business, the van is memorable. Larsen said the design is “a mystery machine kind of van.”
The van has delivered to Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Cudahy, South Milwaukee and St. Francis. Customers choose what they want delivered to see or purchase, and the van will deliver. There is a gas fee, though Larsen said she never charges more than $5. Payments can be made via Cash App, PayPal and Venmo.
Their best customer out of South Milwaukee has already bought about 50 items and gave the couple a gift.
“She was so nice, she gave us pet fish,” Larsen said.
Getting inventory and offering sales
A failed garage sale led them to post products on Facebook Marketplace. Soon after, the idea for Thrift on Wheels came about, and they used those items to get the business rolling.
Messages come not only from people looking to buy but wanting to donate. Clothes, an old sewing machine, fire pits and more have been donated and put up for sale.
So much had been donated the couple made up mystery bags, including Halloween-themed ones, which sold out.
“They came from my obsession with Halloween,” Larsen said.
The couple are considering getting a storage unit for all the donations soon but hope one day to have a physical location in addition to the delivery component.
“When we get up to that point, I would love to get a storefront,” Larsen said.
For now, both are working part-time jobs in addition to their new business venture, with hopes it could grow enough to become their full-time gig.
“On our days off we try our hardest to post on the page, hand out flyers, things like that,” Larsen said.
Thrift on Wheels held its first big sale in late August at a friend’s house; more events could come in the future. One sale that is sure to come every week is 15% off clothing on Wednesdays.
To those who have never thrifted before, Larsen has a message: “Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” she said. “You’ll find something you’ll fall in love with.”
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This new thrift store in Cudahy comes right to your door
