DelaneyJackson

Shopping locally has long been considered one of the most ethical ways to buy goods. Local thrift stores are not only expanding on this idea by being sustainable, but they are giving life to vintage items.

   Forever Yesterday, a thrift store in Omaha (9006 Maple St), is helping people find their dream vintage items for lower prices. Owned by husband and wife, Derek Grauel and Angie Knievel, this small business has a long history. It was originally a roller skating rink, then a paintball place, and now, a second-hand shop.

   Lovers of antique pieces, Grauel and Knievel wanted to open a local thrift store that specialized in vintage items. 

   “It was a little weird, like at first, because we bought it from the previous owners who were closing the store,” Knievel said.

   Forever Yesterday displays and sells vintage items from house clean-outs and liquidations. 

   “Me and my husband really love old stuff. We did estate sales, and thrifting and garage sales— and all of that before we got here because we just really thought stuff was cool,” Knievel said.

   Knievel said she loves the “people” aspect of owning a small business.

 “I think just working with people was ultimately the goal,” Knievel said. 

   Working at, and especially owning, a small business brings everyone closer together. It brings people together in a way where they can connect with their creative and diverse community, something they may have been missing out on before.

   The positivity towards thrift stores in recent years has been growing tremendously.     Many people are excited about shopping second-hand, helping the environment, and working against big fast-fashion-based corporations.

   “I think shopping locally is a big thing. I know we’re, just as a society, so quick to just hop on Amazon and order it, and it’s gonna be here tomorrow. But we don’t think of what that actually contributes to,” Knievel said. Shopping local helps and supports individual families, instead of supporting these big companies.

   Looking up stores on Google Maps and  different online spaces can help someone find their favorite small business or thrift/vintage store.

   “Anytime I go out of town somewhere, I don’t want to go to any chain places. I want to try the local stuff— something that I’m not going to be able to get somewhere else,” Knievel said. 

   Shopping locally in places you haven’t been to before helps you to branch out and find new things to enjoy— things you may not have even known about before.

   “Looking at stuff is so cool— it all has a story, and even when we’re cleaning out houses, you know, we don’t always know everything about them. The family might share some details with us, but it’s kind of crazy when you’re packing up their things or going through their stuff and you can kind of piece together who they were as a person,” Knievel said.

   Instead of shopping at places such as Target or Walmart, try local thrift stores like Forever Yesterday, where you can buy unique pieces— items that have stories.