Page 11 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Step into the New with great finds at thrift store

Welcome back to another Spot-
light Series with Sarah!
The series where the writer gets
to know the city more personally,
while the readers get to know the
writer better in the process.
With the arrival of a new year, so
comes the “new year, new me” peo-
ple. The New Year’s resolutions,
going to the gym more, eating health- year, I figured I could add a few more
ier, and changing your lifestyle be- options to my workout wardrobe
cause a new year has just begun. without breaking the bank.
I don’t really do New Year’s reso- So on Tuesday, December 31st, I
lutions, as I believe you can improve stopped by STEP Thrift Store and
your life at any point in the year. I Donation Center to see if there was
think there’s so much pressure for anything available for cheap that I’d
starting your year off right. You don’t be comfortable working out in.
have to start just because it’s Janu- As soon as I walked in the door,
ary 1st. You can start January 2nd, there was clothing everywhere. Rows
or 3rd, next month, or whenever. and rows of shirts, coats, dresses,
But if being a “new year, new me” and pants. Sitting on top of the racks
person is what helps you improve of clothes were shoes: heels, tennis
your life, then I happily encourage shoes, boots, and more.
you to make those lifestyle changes As I mentioned, I prefer graphic
on January 1st. Try out the gym for T-shirts. The funnier, the better. And
the first time and get your body mov- STEP Thrift Store didn’t disappoint.
ing. Some of the graphic T-shirts I saw
I know the gym can seem like a were: Stars Hollow Gilmore Girls,
scary place. It can be intimidating Pikachu, Star Wars, Cheetos, The
when you aren’t sure what you Mandalorian, bands, sports teams, STEP Thrift Store and Donation Center in Downtown Wayne. Photo by Sarah Shurge
should do or what you should wear. and colleges/universities.
The best advice I can give is to just There were flannel shirts, an en-
show up. Do and wear whatever tire section of Christmas pajamas,
you’re comfortable with. People may and any type of hat that you can
look at you, but they aren’t judging think of. Purses and backpacks were
you. Everyone in the gym is there to on the right side of the wall, while
improve themselves, just like you board games were on the left side.
are. There was jewelry, glasses, belts,
I have been involved with fitness pillows, blankets, and an entire
since high school, when I partici- army of stuffed animals. There were
pated in marching band and sports. shelves of books, records, and DVDs.
In college, I continued doing march- There were lamps, plates, coffee
ing band and finally started using a mugs, and wicker baskets.
gym for the first time. Injured and need assistance with N
Since then, my fitness journey walking? There were crutches and a
has gone from being a runner (run- walker. C
ning a 5k a day), to lifting weights, to Wanting to get into golfing but it’s
now just listening to my body, and such an expensive hobby? There was STEP Thrift Store has a large selection of clothes for all ages. Photo by Sarah Shurge
making sure I do some type of exer- a bin of golf clubs on the left wall. Center has been in Wayne for at least ties.
cise at least 3 - 5 days a week There were electronics like: a 15 years. Services To Enhance Poten- “A lot of times people are afraid to
(whether it’s lifting weights, intense toaster, air fryer, keyboards, and tial (STEP) is a non-profit organiza- hire people like that. We are the
cardio, or simply walking). sewing machine. There was also fur- tion which provides support and same, we have the same work ethic.
Just as my fitness routine has niture such as: a dresser, chairs, and services to nearly 1,300 persons You just have to give them a chance.
changed, so has my preferred gym at- bookshelves. with disabilities and other mental You'd be surprised with how well
tire. I went from being one of those There were two fitting rooms so health needs in Wayne County. they work,” said Udell. Udell has
girls that liked working out in leg- you could try on an item before pur- “We’re not just a thrift store, we been manager at STEP Thrift Store
gings and a crop top, to now I’m in chase. I ended up finding two T- do supported employment. The for a year.
my Adam Sandler era. The baggier shirts and a pair of workout pants training program runs the thrift “It's really a great place to work
the clothes the better. that I liked, and bought the three store, and we work with people with for,” said Udell. “My favorite part is
Most of my workout tops are items for $10 total. I was truly disabilities,” said Heather Udell, not only working with members, but
graphic T-shirts (of memes or quotes amazed by the prices at STEP Thrift STEP Thrift store and Donation Cen- getting to know people in the com-
from movies) from the men’s section Store. ter manager. About 70% of the staff
at Target. But with the start of a new STEP Thrift Store and Donation at STEP Thrift Store have disabili- See STEP, page 12
The Wayne Dispatch · January 2025 · 11