The thrift boom: How nontraditional thrift stores are changing the game

Something old, something new and sometimes something completely unexpected nontraditional thrift stores are giving secondhand a new spin.

Thrifting has surged in popularity over the past few years. According to Capital One, the industry generates about $56 billion annually.

Natalie Burton is the owner of Making Space, a fabric thrift store in Downtown Provo.

"I've always been a treasure hunter as a thrifter and just a creative person, I just want to try a little bit of everything," Burton said.

Customers can find a variety of materials and an inexpensive way to start crafting and creating on their own.

"I think there was a customer who came in a little while ago who said, there's more than enough to go around, we just have to get better at sharing it," Burton said.

Its designed as a community space where people can give new life to old fabrics.

On the other side of town, Thrifthood offers a curated thrifting experience. Wai-Keen Alan Bostrom is the founder and CEO of Thrifthood.

"There's so much stuff out there and we'd rather have it end up with people who are thrifting than in the landfills," Bostrom said.

They specialize in vintage clothing from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, with two locations one in Provo and the other in Salt Lake City.

"This was about seven years ago, so this is before vintage and thrifting became super popular, so we were right ahead of the curve," Bostrom said.

Buying used clothing helps reduce textile waste, a growing problem in the fashion industry.

The thrift boom allows anyone to find clothing or materials that suit their personal style, something that may have been out of reach just a few years ago.

Secondhand shopping is less about what things were and more about what they can become.