TAG’s thrift store opens a fresh take for thrift shopping in Utah County

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Children's "cave" area including TAG'S superhero mural at the back. Money made from donations at TAG's is donated to Choice Humanatarian. (TAG's)
Children’s “cave” area including TAG’S superhero mural at the back. Money made from donations at TAG’s is donated to Choice Humanatarian. (TAG’s)

Macklemore made thrift shopping cool in 2012, and the trend has yet to die down in Utah County with TAG’s Thrift store.

TAG’s Thrift Orem opened July 18 and is the third TAG’s store in Utah County to open since October 2014. According to Jason Ehlert, partner in TAG’s Thrift, Utah County is in need of thrift stores because individuals need a place to recycle their goods.

“More than 60 percent of household goods in Utah end up in land fills,” Ehlert said. “This is a good, giving community, but they need a convenient place to give their things.”

BYU alumna Katherine Birdsall moved to Utah for college and found that she had nowhere to recycle her things.

“I used to keep the things I wanted to recycle for months before I could drive them home to California where there are more recycling options,” Birdsall said. “I’m so excited to have TAG’s close now.”

Ehlert explained that TAG’s is passionate about helping the landfill issue along with other charitable organizations, such as Choice Humanitarian. That is where the idea for TAG’s came from.

According to the TAG’s website, its mission is to “provide a fresh thrift experience. Provide quality product and savings to the public. Provide fundraising opportunities’ to worthy causes. Have a positive impact at every touch point.”

Ehlert said the fresh take that TAG’s provides occurs with charitable donations from all items brought into the store. TAG’s donates proceeds from donations directly to Choice Humanitarian. Individuals have a few additional options for the proceeds of their donations.

Women's area at TAG's store in Orem. Money made from donations at TAG's is donated to Choice Humanatarian. (TAG's)
Women’s area at TAG’s store in Orem. Money made from donations at TAG’s is donated to Choice Humanatarian. (TAG’s)

“You basically have four options: donate to your own cause, donate to Choice Humanitarian, donate to a cause you’re passionate about or get cash for your donations,” Ehlert said.

When an individual brings donations to TAG’s he or she should bring a method of contact for the charity organization of choice. Otherwise, a person can choose cash per pound in exchange for donations or donating to Choice Humanitarian.

Other thrift stores in Utah County do well, specifically the LDS Church-owned Deseret Industries. But a new thrift store has not opened in years, and TAG’s represents new competition to the thrift stores in Utah County.

Erica Tanner shops at thrift stores often and feels that the LDS culture especially appreciates thrift stores for completing DIY crafts.

“If you’ve ever been to the Provo DI, it’s the most hoppin’ DI in the world,” Tanner said. “You can get really great stuff that is like new.”

Ehlert explained that the TAG’s method of buying donations is beneficial for all participating parties.

“We end up buying higher-quality donations because we give incentive for purchasing the goods, and that’s what ends up being on the floor,” Ehlert said.

TAG’s is located in Orem on State Street.

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