A new thrift store has popped up in Harrisonburg nestled by the Ice House on Liberty Street. Named after the fold often sewn into clothing to give it shape, Dart Resale and Trade began as a pop-up shop in 2019, fondly referred to as the Dart Cart. Although the footprint of the store is small, the layout ensures easy browsing, and the selection is surprisingly robust. You can learn more about Dart on their website, or stop by to check them out in person in Harrisonburg at 205 S. Liberty Street, Suite E. Owner May Yoder-Anderson was kind enough to answer our questions.
Can you share a bit of your background and what got you into secondhand clothing?
Mary: My background is in visual art and design so I’ve always appreciated fashion as a form of creative expression. I grew up in Oregon in an area with a lot of secondhand shopping options. Most of my own clothes were purchased at thrift stores or buy-sell-trade shops similar to Dart. I can spend hours in a good thrift shop or antique mall looking through all the items and thinking about the stories behind them.
What sets you apart from the other secondhand/vintage clothing stores in the area?
We offer a mix of current brands and vintage options. Downtown Harrisonburg already has some excellent vintage shops and we wanted to add another secondhand option that carries current brands as well. We love mixing and matching styles. Our favorite looks are fun vintage pieces put together with quality, everyday wear. We also take in clothing the first week of every month. Customers can sell us their items at 30% cash payout or 50% store credit.
How have you overcome the challenges of opening in a pandemic?
We took our time opening and considered the benefits and risks of having a brick-and-mortar location. The plan was to open this summer and I’m glad we held off until fall. We’re fortunate the community’s response to our opening has been so positive and our customers have been great about shopping safely in masks while practicing social distancing.