
By Caroline Kilaru
Staff Writer
This story is the fourth in a series about thrift shopping in our community. This week, we profile the Club Nova Thrift Shop, located at 103C W. Main St.
Local thrift shoppers are privy to two stores within one block in downtown Carrboro – though some people don’t know it.
A few doors down from the PTA Thrift Shop, Club Nova Thrift Shop is a small store full of big surprises.
“When we first opened, people thought we were a nightclub,†said Mahlon Williams, Club Nova rehabilitation therapist specialist. “I’m a former police officer, and when I heard Club Nova was opening up, I said, ‘Oh no, another club! I hope we don’t have to shut them down.’
“But it turned out to be Club Nova, and it’s great.â€
“We’re considering changing our name to reflect that we are selective with our merchandise,†said Christy Thompson, Club Nova’s associate director of programming. “Some clubs have art galleries to support their mission, some have thrift shops. We get really high-end items here, so ours is more like a boutique.â€
Where your dollars go
Club Nova is devoted to providing a place for individuals living with mental illness. The thrift shop provides work for members and revenues that support the club’s other programs.
“Because our members are here all of the time, it’s easy to see where the money goes. Everyone is very personable; you get a good feeling being a part of it,†Williams said.
Members help with the thrift shop’s display, accounting, customer service and marketing.
“We’re becoming very selective about the merchandise we put out. The better this place looks, the better it is for our members and for people’s image of mental health issues,†Thompson said. “And as our profits go up from selling more, getting the word out about what we do, making our shop as attractive and full of beautiful items as possible, we help our members more as well.â€
The club’s mission helps draw in great donations, Thompson added.
“We get all of the big brands,†she said. “People have a choice where they want to donate and they are very generous with us.â€
Something special for almost nothing
Regulars come in to Club Nova daily, keeping an eye out for precious objects.
“Whenever we have furniture – tables and chairs and small pieces – they go in a day or two,†Thompson said.
Donations sometimes include collectible items as well.
“At the bottom of a bag of mostly unsellable clothing were a stamp collection and these two coins,†Thompson said, displaying two rare coins. “One is a 1943-D steel war penny, the other is a 1 cent piece from 1851.â€
A regular in the shop, a Frenchman named Francois, showed Thompson a book about rare coins for the staff to thumb through.
“I’m also checking on eBay and am meeting with specialists to learn more,†Thompson said.
The store’s unique offerings and mission have drawn in a number of regular shoppers.
“He comes in twice a day,†Thompson said of Francois. He’s not the only one. Local thrift shops are warm, friendly places. Regulars are common, and the people working the cash register will relate to youv.
“Every time I come to Club Nova, the staff is very friendly, and I like to have conversations with them,†said Naomi Akita, a store regular. “I also like to support the mission of Club Nova and enjoy the small-community feel.â€
Know before you go
Club Nova holds sales throughout the year, including a bag sale of kids’ clothes this week for back-to-school shopping.
“The best thing is to ‘like’ us on Facebook or use other social media to find out about sales, or to stop by a lot,†Thompson said.
If you can’t go by the store often, target Club Nova on Tuesdays.
“We get the bulk of donations over the weekend, so Monday we are busy processing, and Tuesday we’re setting out the weekend’s best,†Thompson said.
Coming next week: a profile of the Goodwill Industries Thrift Store in Hillsborough.