Over the past 10 years or so, Thrifting has gone mainstream. The popularity of digging through racks of secondhand finds has skyrocketed – whether as a recession indicator or a sign of mass environmental awakening – and San Antonio is keeping pace. Now, a new national thrift chain has chosen the Alamo City for its Texas debut.

This rise in treasure hunting through donated goods has not skipped San Antonio. Massive chains are capitalizing on the trend – or new way of life – for locals. The self-proclaimed “best thrift store in the United States,” Red White & Blue Thrift, made its San Antonio debut earlier this year. Locals have cashed in, creating cozy oases where goods keep circulating in the communities where they started.

But a new thrift option has entered the chat, offering a breath of fresh air to what can feel like a repetitive experience for the thrifting experts. For its first Texas store, arc Thrift Stores (yes, a lowercase “A”) has set its sights on San Antonio.

But the fact that Texas, and San Antonio specifically, has become a thrifting haven is not lost on the execs at the thrifting company.

“Texas is going to be really interesting… because we’ve never done Texas,” Maggie Sciviqcque-Spencer, vice president of marketing for arc Thrift Stores, said on the Finders Flippers Resale Podcast last week. “Hopefully they like us. ‘Do they like me?’ is like the No. 1 question, right? It’s wild. The competition is wild.”

Sciviqcque-Spencer pointed out that competitors like Texas Thrift, which has a stronghold on the market alongside Goodwill San Antonio, are a concern. But she says arc Thrift Stores’ furniture offerings could put them ahead of the competition, saying, “We’re good at furniture.”

And what would a thrifting conversation be without mentioning resellers – the bane of every secondhand shopper’s existence when they’re balling on a budget? But resellers seem to be a big market for arc Thrift Stores, alongside social media shoppers filming their journey as they dig through the stock. Sciviqcque-Spencer showed strong support for both showing up in the Alamo City.

It’s not just the furniture that sets arc Thrift Stores apart from others across their 37 stores in Colorado and two stores in New Mexico. Company officials say it’s one of the largest employers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In fact, funds from the operation support Arc Chapters, which advocates for people with disabilities.

The first Texas site will create 55 new jobs and host a donation center. 

“We’re incredibly excited to open our doors in San Antonio and become part of this community,” said arc Thrift Stores CEO Lloyd Lewis. “Every purchase and every donation at arc helps create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That’s what makes opening a new store so meaningful. We’re not simply bringing great thrift shopping to San Antonio, we’re inviting the community to be part of a mission that changes lives.”

The new store at 5776 Stemmons Drive will open for a special preview on October 5 next to the Cavender Headquarters and the Cavender Auto Parts store near Bandera Road and Loop 410. The grand opening is set for Thursday, October 8. That’s when the discount deals begin.

The company offers 50% off every Saturday, 50% off for seniors every Tuesday and color tag sales every Wednesday, when certain items may also be half off.