Thrift Stores Adding Perks

An article in the New York Times talks about thrift stores.

Thrift stores, once thought of as dusty places where the down-on-their-luck skulked for bargains, are gradually adding perks that impart a more-exclusive feel to the shopping experience, to the delight of patrons and proprietors alike.

“We’ve been really thrilled with the reaction of the customers,” said David Raper, the vice president for retail at Housing Works, a nonprofit helping people with H.I.V. or AIDS that has a dozen stores across the city. Power Hour tickets go on sale the Monday before each Buy the Bag event, he said, and have sold out every time. “For some people, early access and seeing the newest, hottest thing is really important,” Mr. Raper said.