Daily Nebraskan

Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Teresa Prince Jaclyn Geist, owner of The Black Market, dusts shoes during a lull in customer traffic. Geist opened The Black Market in downtown Lincoln three years ago. She buys, sells and trades used clothes. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Teresa Prince Jeremy "Bud" Wardlaw and Saber Blazek shop at The Black Market, 1033 O St., on Tuesday afternoon. Wardlaw bought a vintage pair of shorts and a shirt. [Click to enlarge]

People often say, "I have nothing to wear." For decency's sake, let's hope they're exaggerating.

Their closets are more than likely full of numerous outfits to choose from, but for whatever reason, they have no desire to wear them.

Instead of throwing these items away or letting them go to waste in the dark and dusty corners of closets, these clothes can be put to use by selling or donating them. Lincoln is home to several stores for people to take clothes they don't wear anymore.

One option is The Black Market, which is conveniently located downtown at 1033 O St. The Black Market buys and sells current fashions as well as vintage and one-of-a-kind finds.

"People can bring in items anytime while we're open," said Tobias Burnham, a manager at the store.

"An employee will go through items on the spot. We put a resale value on each item and give (the customers) half the amount in store credit or a third the amount in cash."

Customers at The Black Market can find wardrobe staples such as jeans, coats and accessories like shoes and purses, or vintage ponchos.

The wide selection offered attracts a varied clientele.

"It tends to be a lot of university students and people from the downtown scene," Burnham said. "We're very eclectic and have something for everybody."

A second option for Lincolnites is Plato's Closet, 2525 Pine Lake Road.

"We buy gently used brand name clothing for teens and 20-somethings," said Lincoln store manager Mitch Lee. "Basically anything that's fashion savvy or that you would find in the malls right now."

Plato's Closet sticks to trends that are very current and modern. Customers can bring in items that are clean and ready to wear. The items will be sold at about 70 percent off the original price. Customers receive 30 to 40 percent of the selling price in cash on the spot.

"If you bring in a basket of clothes, it adds up. I've had people walk out of here with $300 before," Lee said.

Goodwill, with several locations throughout Lincoln, is an option for those more interested in giving back than in making money.

Goodwill revenues rely entirely on the profit made by selling donated items. Donations can be dropped off at any store location during business hours. Almost any type of donation will be accepted, and any items that aren't resellable can be recylced, including clothing, stuffed animals and paperback books.

"All (Goodwill's) revenue supports job training and employment programming in Lincoln," said Sarah Kramer, Lincoln Goodwill director of services and development.

Goodwill stores sell a large spectrum of items varying from store to store.

"Depending on the day you come in, there could be anything from vintage jeans to the perfect accessory," Kramer said. "It all depends on who's donated recently,"

johnnahjersman@dailynebraskan.com

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