Discovery Shops in Los Gatos and Sunnyvale recently helped local middle school students learn the value of thrift shops in the community and beyond.
“Discovery Shop Los Gatos paired up with the Sunnyvale Discovery Shop and held a short, engaging presentation for the seventh- and eighth-graders about a Discovery Shop’s daily operations, the benefit of thrift stores and who it benefits,” says Rita Melamed, general manager of the Los Gatos shop. “We ended with a hands-on activity that the students could take home with them if they wished to do so. And they all did.”
The presentation was for students at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos who were taking a six-week class called “Behind the Seams: Fashion for People and the Planet.” The class was a deep dive into the world of clothing and fashion, introducing students to the way clothes are made through watching videos of garment workers, taking a field trip and having hands-on experiences, including learning how fabric is dyed and how used garments can be customized.
Each student made a tote bag from a donated T-shirt, with no sewing required. Melamed says the presentation was intended to show the students how reselling clothing can help the global sustainability movement, and specifically how sales at Discovery Shops across the country benefit the American Cancer Society’s research and programs.
“It was awesome to see these young minds realize the impact they have on the planet every day,” she adds. “We also have the fifth- and sixth-graders scheduled in January for their field trip.”The Discovery Shops’ semiannual sale is Dec. 10-11, when, says Melamed, “everything is 50% off in the entire shop. And the drumroll: we have no supply issues!”
The Sunnyvale Discovery Shop is located at 1659 Hollenbeck Ave. Call 408-737-7707 for current operating hours.
The Los Gatos shop is located at 39 E. Main St. Call 408-354-5917 for current operating hours.