By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
With Christmas less than one month away, high prices for almost everything stretch gift-giving dollars for most people more than ever. The good news is some local stores offer a variety of new to gently used gift options and the purchases support local charities.
Besides saving money, thrift store shopping can be very fashionable. The late pop-star Michael Jackson was said to have shopped at thrift stores and a list of celebrities like Julia Roberts and Renee Zellweger have made it fashionable to wear vintage clothing from thrift stores and other secondhand stores. Another plus to thrift shopping is it also helps sustain the environment by reusing rather than throwing things away.
Merchandise selections vary daily, but a persistent shopper can find great gifts at thrift stores. Whether you need toys, books or an ugly Christmas sweater, Clay County has four thrift stores within a few minutes of each other. Several more may be found in Towns and Union County, as well as Cherokee County.
First, we visit the oldest thrift store in Clay County, Granny’s Attic. Starting at the intersection of Highway 69 and Highway 64, go west on Highway 64 towards Murphy. On the right side of the highway, at 200 Highway 64 West in Hayesville, Granny’s Attic is tucked behind the red Mountain Streams Real Estate building and beside Subway. This little thrift store has been in operation for almost four decades as a result of Grandma Marie Hansbauer’s efforts.
Originally, Sister Hansbauer used her own attic to collect and store items so she could provide to those in need. Granny’s Attic has changed locations a few times since it originally opened in 1985.The store is run completely by volunteers and 100 percent of the proceeds go to non-profit programs around Clay County. Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Granny’s Attic has clothing, books, toys, collectibles, jewelry and household items except for large furniture.
The volunteers operating the store will tell you to come often because they put new stuff out all of the time. Donations have been so prolific they added a semi-trailer to the backside of the building several years ago to hold more. The store only takes cash or local checks. Visit and like Granny’s Attic Thrift Store on Facebook to find out about special sales and deals.
Head a little further west on Highway 64 to the REACH Thrift Store, which is also on the right side of the highway when westbound. This store supports the REACH domestic abuse shelter in Hayesville. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except on holidays. The REACH Thrift Store offers many of the same types of items as Granny’s Attic except they have furniture and other large items. A variety of bedding, sets of dishes and Christmas decorations, clothing, costume jewelry and shoes for the entire family. Fine collectibles are carefully displayed and many of the pictures are hung on the wall for easier viewing. The book corner has been carefully divided by genre. This thrift store does take credit cards and frequently has special sales.
Heading back east towards town, turn right onto Old Highway 64 and drive towards Warne to find Clay County’s newest thrift store, The Funny Farm. The thrift store shares the building with Hogsed’s General Store, which recently reopened. The Funny Farm sells furniture, clothing for the whole family, a large collection of small appliances and household items and much more. Once a month, the thrift store hosts low-cost nail trims for pets. In addition, a variety of arts and craft classes are scheduled in the store’s craft area. Upcoming classes for December include loom-weaving, pottery-painting, earring making, holiday gnomes, gourd snowmen and painting quilt boards. All profits support Puppies Under Protection, a non-profit which runs an 11-acre animal rescue sanctuary in Warne for senior dogs and special needs animals. Hours for The Funny Farm are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. on Sundays. The Funny Farm Thrift Store is at 5100 Old Highway 64 in Warne. The Funny Farm Thrift Store is also Facebook, where they post special sales and events.
Back into downtown Hayesville, Friends of the Library operates a quaint bookstore in the same building as Moss Memorial Library at 26 Anderson Street. All proceeds from this non-profit benefit the financial needs of Moss Memorial Library for things like new books to community enrichment programs. Friends of the Library has artwork, cards and puzzles, donated from around the community, but many other treasures may be found inside.
Grab some classic tomes as gifts or a bag of paperbacks for yourself. Operated entirely by volunteers, the bookstore is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Whether you are a penny-wise shopper, a fashion-conscious teen or Santa’s helper, you may be able to check a lot off your gift list while shopping at local thrift stores. In addition, thrift stores frequently have gift certificates so recipients may choose his or her own present. Doing just a little of your holiday shopping in thrift stores, may add some extra jingle to your pockets from money saved. Plus, thrift shopping supports a worthwhile cause and helps the environment.