Trendy, environmentally-friendly, and helping people are the top three qualities Lubbock's newest resale store hopes to offer the community.

Resale stores purchase items from people, pay those people in cash up front, then hope that the items sell. This differs from donation-based thrift shops, and consignment stores, which pay a person after the item sells.

Uptown Cheapskate, a resale store franchise at 5027 Milwaukee Ave., will open to buy items in the next few weeks, according to owner Tricia Vitela. The grand opening for shoppers will be in May.

"People are noticing the resale movement and wanting to have more of a purpose to their clothing, and do good in the world," Vitela said. "They care about making a difference, and I think that's some of the appeal for resale as well. That's part of what drew me to that."

More:Around the Hub: Dave & Busters, Rally House, Tecovas boots make business news

The store is estimated to open in mid-March to purchase clothing, shoes and accessories. People looking to sell their items can simply lay their freshly cleaned items flat in a laundry basket or bag, bring it to the location, and wait for an offer.

If Uptown Cheapskate cannot buy a person's clothes or accessories, the person can choose to take them back or let the store donate them to Lubbock Impact.

"It's fast and easy for people," Vitela said. "Just bring your items here, feel good about what you're doing for the environment, and someone else is going to find something that they love and feel good in. It's a triple win."

While waiting on finishing touches, Vitela detailed how she wants the store to offer an aesthetically pleasing experience.

"A lot of times, when you go into a resale (store), it's just kind of a glum feeling, and shopping is such an aesthetic experience," Vitela said. "You're going in there because you want to look good and feel good. If the place doesn't look or feel good, it's going to impact your mood ... even when you're trying things on."

In order to give the right aesthetic, Vitela chose the former David's Bridal location, which has two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. The interior is well-lit and spacious and features light wood-patterned flooring.

Others are reading:Rusty Taco announces opening timeline for Lubbock, promises family-friendly freshness

Since Basecamp franchising, which owns Uptown Cheapskate and Kid to Kid, began operations, the company has saved more than 200 million items from landfills.

"We really care a lot about sustainability as a company," Vitela said. "We're in the height of cotton country; we see all it takes to grow cotton. So if we can keep an item in circulation 60% longer, we're saving a lot. It doesn't sound like it makes a big difference, but it really does."

Vitela first visited an Uptown Cheapskate in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and described the experience as "amazing." Her experience led her to opening the franchise in Lubbock.

"I was always taught to leave a place better than you found it, and I think I can do that with people and with the environment," Vitela said. "I want to leave the world a nicer, friendlier place, and I think that this is a small way that I can do that. People will look great, feel great, get more money, and feel good about their contribution to the environment."

People can keep up with the Lubbock location on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Applications can be found at uptowncheapskatecareers.careerplug.com.

Alana Edgin is a journalist covering Business News in Lubbock and the surrounding area. Send her a news tip at aedgin@lubbockonline.com. 

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Uptown Cheapskate Lubbock announces opening timeline, details store