In the center of downtown Middlebury, the thrift store Buy Again Alley caters its clothing selection specifically to young people, distinguishing it from the town’s four other thrift stores. As a nonprofit, its mission is to support young people in their creative endeavors and bring them into the world of thrifting.
Executive Director Jeanette Gyukeri emphasized the importance of creating inclusive spaces for younger community members.
“We realized that younger people need spaces that are theirs, or that they feel they belong in and like they’re not someone’s kid, or spaces [where] they’re not being looked at or followed. A space where they can just be authentically themselves,” Gyukeri said.
The team at Buy Again Alley has created several initiatives to accomplish this goal. The store is open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays to host Midd Night, where Middlebury College student ID holders receive a 20% discount on most items, excluding those made by local artists. It also hosts Sunday Fundays every Sunday afternoon, allowing people to exchange clothes in good condition for store credit.
“Most things end up here because they no longer make someone else happy, or they no longer fit their lives in some way. And then someone will come up to the register with something they are so excited about, they cannot believe what they’ve found," Gyukeri said.
The store's efforts to empower young people reach beyond their racks of on-trend clothing: For the past eight years, the company's profits have funded the Buy Again Alley Scholarship. This scholarship donates money to young adults pursuing a non-traditional path after high school by providing gap year travel funds, seed money for startups, uniforms for apprenticeships, or in the case of store employee Jakob Loven, equipment that will allow him to reproduce his art without a vendor.
“I often ask people that come in and buy something really cool, ‘What are you going to put this with? Do you have a specific outfit in mind, or are you just planning on seeing where this goes?’ I like visualizing what people are trying out," Loven said. He estimates about half of his closet is clothes from Buy Again Alley.
“Something I love about coming in here is that you can come in and find 200 different stores in one," said Suzy Hunt, another employee at the store.
Over time, the store’s selection has grown to include more popular brands. It's not uncommon to find a Patagonia vest or an Old Navy sweater significantly marked down in the Buy Again Alley racks. Gyukeri noted the crop top section as an area of the store that helps fill a niche other thrift stores do not.
Beyond premium shopping access, employees agreed that one of the best parts of working at Buy Again Alley is interacting with the diverse clientele.
“I can come to work and meet people from around the world, that come to me. I’m not going to be traveling around the world, but I get to meet people, and I get to learn their stories," Hunt said.
When students from the Middlebury Language Schools come to Vermont during the summer, Loven tries to practice the little bits of different languages he knows. "I think it helps them feel at home as well," Loven said.
"The store, as Suzy and Jeanette always say, has a magic," Loven said. "You put some vibes onto a piece of clothing and it sells, and I think the magic is really alive here.”
The store's unique feel is thanks in large part to its employees.
“This sweater I wanted was missing the tassel and [the owner] fixed it right then and there," said Meredith Abbot ’28. "While she did that, we got to chatting about how we both love old homes! She was just very personable and kind."
The opportunity for a good bargain is a common draw to thrifting, but buying second hand is also a way to be more environmentally conscious in your daily life — another component of Buy Again Alley's mission, according to Hunt.
“I believe very strongly in the recycling world, and that everything, no matter what, can have a second chance — humans or clothing," Hunt said.
The store accepts clothes in imperfect condition, preferring to mend or wash them rather than trash. Hunt explained that she often uses a tear or stain as an opportunity to transform an item, like bleach-dying jeans, making each piece more unique and appealing to customers.
“It’s important to try and avoid fast fashion, even though it’s so hard sometimes, especially with being a college student and wanting to be up to date with the trends," Abbott said. "I think this is a fun and easy way to [practice sustainability].”
As the only thrift store on Main Street, Buy Again Alley is conveniently situated near Middlebury’s campus, welcoming students to shop, donate or simply stop by for a chat.
“If you continue to go to the same place over the four years of being a student at Middlebury, you’ll get to know the townspeople, for sure, but they’ll also get to know you,” Hunt said. “And that’s pretty special.”
