Thrift store set to open at old Seakers site
The interior of the incoming USED store. Source: Anna Nathan
Nathan said that the checkerboard floors and chandeliers at USED give it a "boutiquey" feel.
The interior of the incoming USED store. Source: Anna Nathan
Nathan said that the checkerboard floors and chandeliers at USED give it a "boutiquey" feel.
The old Seakers building in East Wareham is getting new life from old clothing as lifelong thrifter Anna Nathan looks to open her secondhand clothing store USED.
The store, which Nathan expects to open before August, is set to occupy the shuttered Seaker' furniture store at 3065 Cranberry Highway in East Wareham.
The Select Board unanimously voted to approve a Second Hand Dealer's License for USED during its meeting on Tuesday, June 16. During the meeting, Nathan told Select Board members that the store will sell entirely used goods, primarily clothes, but also "small housewares" like decorations.
Nathan said she's been thrifting her whole life and is excited to bring her passion to Wareham.
"When I was in high school, I used to go to Boston to The Garment District and thrift and I've always been doing it," she said. "I love clothes. I love shopping for people. I find art in clothing."
Nathan said that she's being selective in what she's selling so clothes don't go to waste.
"Sometimes people just want an outfit and they want to just not have to search for that one perfect shirt," Nathan said. "So I'm trying to fill the store with that one perfect shirt for everybody."
Nathan said her goal is to keep inventory low to prevent as much clothing as possible from going to waste.
"Hopefully everything finds a new home rather than lands in a landfill," she said.
USED has been in the works for over two years, a store that Nathan said is both a hobby and a business.
"Fashion is my thing and having a secondhand or more affordable option for people is something I'm excited to do," she said.
Nathan said the clothing in her collection is "name brand," popular clothing, but at less expensive prices than when they were first sold.
To start, the store is taking used clothing donations for a 20% store credit. USED will not be buying clothes yet nor is it doing consignment for used clothes, Nathan said, though she added that she hopes to eventually be able to purchase clothes for the store.
According to Nathan, the store currently has an "opening soon" sign up. She said that the store has been remodeled and is set up, but is waiting on her to be ready for an official opening date.
"Now it's just me not being nervous about it," Nathan said. "So I'm ready. This was the last stage."
