Crestwood Resident Calls Out City As "Resale Community of the World"

Are you concerned with the quality of new businesses coming to Crestwood?

The city has already seen some additions to the business community in 2013: Culver's, The Barn, Pole Position Raceway and a Savers thrift store. 

See which businesses came to Crestwood and Sunset Hills in 2012: Year in Review: New Business in Crestwood and Sunset Hills

The Board of Aldermen will soon vote on a proposed resale shop called Hidden Gems at 9051 Watson Rd. Hidden Gems profits would benefit Lutheran Senior Services to "assist clients, patients and residents who need financial assistance for their care," according to a call for store volunteers posted on Patch.

The store will offer some clothing but focus largely on housewares, Alderman Tim Trueblood said at Tuesday's Board of Aldermen meeting. 

But one resident who spoke on Crestwood Court redevelopment during the meeting said she'd like to see some different retail options coming in.

"... Maybe, just maybe we could get out of the mode of the resale community of the world, because we're getting a lot of resale in Crestwood. And you know what? I'd like to buy some real, brand new retail. And I'd like to have some restaurants and I'd also enjoy some other opportunities, like ice skating for kids and a market in the summer time," Deborah Beezley said. "I can tell ya, my friends in the other communities are just waiting for Crestwood to make a move so they can come visit us. "

The statement reminded me of a comment from Patch user Stephen D. on the opening of the Savers thrift store: "When a city has a huge empty mall, lots of offices and retail space for lease and the new businesses are thrift stores, it's in trouble."

So I wondered: is the situation unique to Crestwood?

It isn't, according to a recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch article. Resale stores are more popular and plentiful than ever, the Post-Dispatch reports, though they've designated West St. Louis County as "ground zero for the area’s burgeoning thrift store wars."

It probably helps business that a song called "Thrift Shop" is currently topping Billboard charts. 

Are you a resale shopper? Do you think too many of these types of stores are opening up, or do you enjoy the variety? Tell us in the comments.

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