Busy times at thrift stores after King’s Day

Today it was busy at thrift stores in various places in the country. Many people came to bring things that they did not sell on the free markets during King’s Day. In addition, many people have used their day off to clean up their attic.

At thrift store De Groene Sluis in Lelystad, cars drove back and forth all afternoon. “We are busier than usual,” Gert Esenbrink of the thrift store told Omroep Flevoland.

“We were at the free market from twelve to seven o’clock,” says a man who handed over items. “My wife didn’t want this in the attic anymore, so it’s going to the thrift store.”

Esenbrink says he is happy with all the stuff that is being brought. “Only processing the stuff takes some time. We could use some extra staff, but that’s hard to find” says Gert. According to him, the volunteers could still handle the crowds today.

Items that were not sold on the flea market yesterday were delivered to the thrift store today, like here in Venlo:

It was also busy at the thrift store Het Goed in Venlo today. “Today, two to maybe three times as many items are handed in as on a normal day,” says branch manager Eric Lagrand to 1Limburg.

According to him, this has everything to do with King’s Day. He distinguishes three types of customers. “In addition to the regular customers, the people who have bought something on the free market come home and then see that they still have old things that they want to get rid of and those who have not lost their merchandise on the free market.”

A woman who delivered things to the thrift store tells the regional broadcaster that she was indeed at the market yesterday with her things. “What I have with me has not been sold and that is why I would like to make others happy with it.”

Another woman also brought several boxes of stuff to the thrift store. She would have preferred to sell it on the open market, she admits. “Otherwise it goes to the landfill and I think that’s a shame, because the stuff is still in good condition.”

Lagrand states that the peak crowds have now become as much of a tradition as King’s Day itself. He is happy with the large offer, although it does have consequences for the staff. “Some employees would like to have a day off following King’s Day, but unfortunately that is not possible with this crowd.”