Thrift and consignment store operators say their shops are busier than ever - a situation they believe is linked to island residents' financial hardships.
"We are so busy. . . . It's kind of sad because people are leaving this island in droves. They are bringing in all of their household possessions and then taking off," said Rainbow Attic owner Jamie Campisi.
At the Habitat for Humanity Maui's ReStore, Executive Director Sherri Dodson estimates sales have shot up by approximately 30 percent since October. "It's been good for business," Dodson said.
Residents who might normally hire a contractor or shop at a local hardware store appear to be opting for ReStore, which collects donated construction material and household items such as nails, toilets, tiles, light bulbs, doorknobs and scraps of granite.
"I think if something breaks at your house, you fix it. It used to be cumbersome and you'd hire someone to do it. Now you do it yourself," Dodson said.
The St. Joseph Church Thrift Shop in Makawao has also seen a modest 5 percent upswing in sales for the last two years.
Manager Joslyn Minobe said she can't say for sure that her increased sales are tied to the recession, but she does know that more people seem to be looking for bargains in clothes and household purchases.
For the first time in the few years she's run the thrift store, Minobe said customers are lining up a half-hour before the shop opens. Proceeds support St. Joseph's school and parish.
In honor of the thrift store's founder, the late Audrey Moniz, Minobe said she's kept prices for clothes between $1 and $3. "Because that's our way of helping the community," Minobe said.
Salvation Army's thrift stores in Kihei and Lahaina are also seeing more brisk activity, but sales aren't necessarily up. Capt. Mark Merritt, the director for Salvation Army on Maui, said he's had to offer vouchers to disadvantaged families in need of clothes and household goods who are unable to pay for them.
Merritt said he's noticed that donations to the store have dropped.
"A year ago you might have gotten rid of the old couch and donated it. Now you're holding on to it," he said.
Merritt estimates the thrift stores' revenues have declined by as much as 10 percent.
"We are seeing more activity, but the sales aren't going up" because of discounts, he said.
Many customers are taking advantage of the Salvation Army's two-for-one sales, and needy families are using vouchers to shop for clothes and household items.
"We have people in real need," Merritt said. "They just don't have the money to buy clothes."
Campisi assumed ownership of Rainbow Attic 2 years ago, expanding it by extending it to a seven-day-per-week operation, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Kihei.
"It's going superstrong," she said.
She said she thinks her increased business is linked to residential foreclosures and to the downturn in tourism. For example, sales of bodyboards, beach chairs and umbrellas are down, while purchases of consigned clothes and household items are up. As many as 5,000 items are being processed on the Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when Campisi sorts through intakes.
"It's like everybody has to leave now. They'll have a garage sale and then bring their leftovers to me and then head out," Campisi said. "I'm so packed, though, I've had to turn things away. I feel bad about that."
Recently, a woman came into the store crying. The woman told Campisi that her husband had lost his job and their home was being foreclosed. The couple decided to leave the island immediately and did not have a forwarding address.
The woman told Campisi she would call her with her new address, and she asked that any children's ornaments be held back.
"It was so sad, even I was crying," Campisi said.
She said her speculation about the growing number of residents leaving the island comes from the increase in consignment payments people are asking to have sent to Mainland addresses.
"It's just unbelievable," she said.
At St. Joseph's Church Thrift Shop in Makawao, Minobe said she's noticed that on a few occasions in the last year someone has taken donated items left outside the store.
It's been apparent that donated boxes and bags have been rummaged through, Minobe said.
* Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com.
