Some are consignment, but most operate on donated items, and the money made goes to a charity. The Humane Society where I work opened a thrift store a few months ago; everything sold there is donated and we get the profit, if any. There's also GoodWill, Salvation Army, and a couple of other thrift stores here in town who support Veterans, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other non-profit groups with the proceeds from their sales. The consignment stores are quite picky on the clothes they will accept; most of mine I just donate when I'm done with them.
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