“This would be perfect for Halloween!”
“I actually need a pair of dress pants like this for my presentation.”
“I literally almost bought something exactly like this online last night.”
These were just a few student shopper sentiments overhead recently inside the new and improved on-campus thrift store, now open in the Hunt Union “Living Room.”
SUNY Oneonta’s campus thrift store has existed for about a decade in the basement of the Netzer Administration Building. But with a growing pile of donations, a new team overseeing it (The Office of Sustainability) and a campus-wide increased focus on “going green,” it was time for an upgrade.
“We started having conversations about moving the shop in 2023,” said Associate Director of Sustainability Rachel Kornhauser. “Facilities let us know this space was going to be available, right next to Starbucks, which was perfect. It’s a highly visible spot with great foot traffic, so this made sense for us and for the student body. The thrift store supports our campus core values of sustainability, accessibility and equity, as everything is pay-what-you-wish and conveniently located right here on campus.”
Over the summer, the new Hunt Union space was finished and the contents of the store (shirts, pants, hats, dresses, shoes, small décor pieces and other gems) were moved in. A “soft launch” opening during the first week of September was a great success. The store is now open to students, staff and the broader community Wednesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. when school is in session.
“We’re not taking rolling donations, but we’re excited to announce two community Donation Days: Sept. 30 and Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Hunt Union,” said Sustainability Assistant Lindsay Wolfanger. “On those days, anyone can bring gently used or new career clothes/shoes, winter gear, everyday clothing/shoes, and small decor, geared toward college students, so we’ll have a nice stock refresh."
Everything in the store is available at a suggested donation, and all proceeds go toward a special, one-time scholarship of $2,500, awarded to one student per year based on involvement in campus sustainability initiatives. Since the scholarship was created in 2014, more than $15,000 has been awarded to students.
The store also offers important experiential learning opportunities for students, another area of increased focus on campus. Students majoring in Fashion and Textiles visited the shop in its first week to contribute styling ideas and give constructive criticism on store layout, and the Career Development Center will help showcase available professional attire that would be appropriate for presentations, conferences or job interviews. The Office of Sustainability is looking for even more ways for folks across campus to get involved
Students are a big piece of the puzzle. Rudy Hess, an Earth Science and Geography major in the Class of 2026, helps the Office of Sustainability organize and run the store as one of 48 SUNY Oneonta students who are inaugural members of SUNY’s Empire State Service Corps, an initiative that lets students earn money in service positions.
“Working with the thrift store means a lot to me and relates to my major, too, as I’m learning about climate change in a lot of my classes,” Hess said. “I love helping make a difference in this way, and I also love thrifting. Most of my outfits are completely thrifted, so it’s something I’m passionate about.”