51社区

While many of today鈥檚 college students fall under the Generation Z designation, a different label also applies: Generation Thrift. According to a new survey conducted by , more than 60% of Gen Z consumers will purchase secondhand items. Factors such as cost, an interest in sustainability and the influence of social media continue to drive young people to the bargain bin.

With that in mind, 51社区's Voinovich School, in partnership with the Sugar Bush Foundation, will host the OHIO Thrift Market, a pop-up event on April 4, on Morton Lawn at 51社区鈥檚 Athens campus. Items will be solicited from two thrifting locations in the area: and .

The Voinovich School鈥檚 Nicole Kirchner and Aaron Kirby conducted surveys with OHIO students, and their research showed that transportation was the biggest obstacle for students interested in thrifting.

鈥淚t came up hundreds of times: 鈥榃e just can't get out there, we don't have cars,鈥欌€� said Kirchner.

The idea was ultimately hatched to bring the stores to campus.

鈥淭hink of it as a farmer鈥檚 market for thrifted materials,鈥� Kirby added.

The seeds of the OHIO Thrift Market were planted as part of OHIO鈥檚 sustainability initiatives, including a recent community-wide event for international students. More than 200 enrollees took advantage of the items donated.

鈥淭hey arrive on campus and don鈥檛 have anything besides what they can fit in a suitcase,鈥� Kirchner explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult for them to get what they need for a dorm or apartment.鈥�

Maria Bonner, co-director of initiative, says that international students and other campus groups have organically developed their own internal give-back programs, but the OHIO Thrift Market aims to open it up to the larger community.

鈥淭he University and Athens do the networking thing so well, but we鈥檙e hoping to tie all of it together to benefit everyone in Southeast Ohio,鈥� Bonner said.

Kirchner expects most of the items available will be ones that are easily transported, such as kitchenware or clothing, but larger items might also be included.

鈥淥ne idea is for the stores to take pictures of couches or chairs that are available,鈥� Kirchner added. 鈥淪tudents could purchase it at the market, and we will work with them to arrange pickup and delivery.鈥� 

Kirchner and Kirby hope the event will be a springboard for more regular pop-ups, including move-out/in dates and others throughout the semester.

鈥淲e know there is a significant population of students who are into thrifting and want to make conscious decisions,鈥� said Kirchner. 鈥淪o we're trying to get that circular economy to grow and solidify the reuse culture on campus.鈥�

The OHIO Thrift Market will be open from 1-6 p.m. on April 4, and is open to the public.