Region's stores announce 'Tour de Thrift'

| March 23, 2012 7:00 AM

SANDPOINT — March 31 marks an unprecedented shopping experience for local thrift stores and their customers alike.

The event, dubbed “Tour de Thrift” promises to be a unique combination of bargain shopping and prizes as customers travel through North Idaho thrift stores in search of quality secondhand merchandise. Twelve local businesses have joined forces for this special day, each offering discounts and special one-day sales to entice and delight. In addition, shoppers have the opportunity to win great prizes. Residents can pick up a passport at any of the participating locations, visit the stores to get them stamped and be entered into a contest to win. The grand prize is a $200 gift card to Super 1 Foods.

The event is headed by Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store, and includes businesses in Sandpoint, Ponderay, Sagle, Priest River and Bonners Ferry.

“Nothing like this has happened before in our area,” Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store Manager Christy Syth said. “It is truly an exciting idea because it brings all of our stores together as a community, if only for a day.”

The participating stores in Ponderay are Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store, Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest, and Basil’s Furniture and Antiques. In Sandpoint Bizarre Bazaar, Seconds Anyone?, Idaho Panhandle’s Habitat for Humanity ReStore and The Cottage Home and Garden. Priest River stores include God’s Provision and Thrift Store, The Clothing Closet, Solar Fashions, and Critters. The Sagle Senior Center Thrift Store in Sagle and the Community Thrift Store in Bonners Ferry are also participating. Community Thrift is closed on Saturday, but shoppers can swing by the store on Sunday or Monday to catch their specials.

Reaching out to regional thrift shoppers has previously been difficult and costly for many of the businesses involved. Through a cooperative effort of advertising and a strong spirit of community, every store will benefit and so will shoppers,

“I think it is an awesome idea that most of the thrift stores in the Panhandle of Idaho have come together to raise money for so many great causes,” Pam Marioc, Community Thrift said.

Store times vary at each location.