With the cost of everyday essentials climbing, more families across the Tampa Bay area are turning to secondhand stores to outfit their kids for the new school year.
“We all know the prices of everything are going up so much. Everything from electric to groceries to everything is so much higher even now than it was a year ago or even two years ago,” said Jodie Whitehead, owner of Once Upon a Child North Tampa.
Resale shops such as Labelswap, Once Upon a Child North Tampa, and Tampa Thrift say they have noticed heavier foot traffic in recent weeks as parents look for ways to stretch their budgets ahead of the first day of class. Store representatives point to lower price tags, frequently refreshed inventory, and the opportunity for kids to score sought-after outfits without the retail markup as reasons the shopping method has caught on.
At Labelswap, staff is sweetening the deal for educators this month. “We’re actually offering 10% to teachers and school staff this month just by showing a valid school ID,” said Cano.
Cano, the store’s marketing and social media manager, said secondhand shopping is especially well-suited to young shoppers whose tastes and bodies change quickly. “I feel like with kids, teenagers, not only do their sizes fluctuate often, their style fluctuates often. Trends fluctuate often,” said Cano.
The store stocks sizes ranging from XXS to XL, giving families across a range of budgets and styles a place to shop.
Once Upon a Child North Tampa takes a similar approach year-round, keeping a steady back stock of gently used uniforms, khakis, and backpacks so families can find what they need when the rush hits.
Tampa Thrift, meanwhile, is leaning on its accessible pricing and broad selection of clothing, shoes, and household goods to draw in families preparing for the semester ahead.
Beyond the savings, shoppers say buying secondhand comes with added perks: many stores run buy-back programs that pay cash on the spot for outgrown or unwanted items, and advocates note the practice is friendlier to both the environment and the local community.
Retailers are also planning extra markdowns for the final weekend before classes begin, including tiered tag sales — such as discounts on teal- and purple-tagged items — meant to help families squeeze out one more round of savings before the bell rings.