This small bench has a lot of rough patches on its wood, though with some work to bring the wood’s luster back it could become a good piece for the front of a house or in a garden.
Although these speakers are being sold at a fraction of their original price, buyer beware; Goodwill has an as-is policy on electronics on whether they work or not. That said, a crafty individual might be able to fix busted wires or speaker cones, providing an upcycling opportunity.
A fresh coat of paint could be an avenue for bringing life back to ragged furniture; in this case someone seemed to have already done that, with this stool going for only a few dollars.
With the holiday season in full swing, most minds go toward brand-new gifts — the latest and hottest items. On Black Friday most retail stores were weathering the surge of customers for the annual day of shopping.
Those looking for a reprieve from holiday shopping crowds might look to places where the deals are always in place, and those looking to put in a little effort can take items that seem a little rough and bring them back to life.
Goodwill stores are a mainstay among avid thrifters, and Clark County has multiple locations for bargain-hunters. Apart from the five standard locations in the county, there is also an outlet off of state Route 503.
The outlet works a bit differently than the standard locations, as items are paid by weight, not individually. Although this can lead to extreme bargains, items are only loosely organized into bins — one has to literally dig in order to find deals. Luckily if that much tenacity isn’t up for one’s interest, the other locations have the more standard layout.
Goodwill isn’t the only organization in the upcycling game, as Clark County also boasts a Habitat for Humanity Store in Vancouver. Whereas a Goodwill has items from clothing to cookware, the Habitat store has more of the building, do-it-yourself type projects that are less upcycling something and more making something altogether new with the supplies available on the cheap.
Upcycling spots
in Clark County:
Goodwill
• 101 NW 20th Ave., Battle Ground
• 14300 NE 20th Ave. Vancouver
• 6425 NE Fourth Plain Blvd.
Vancouver
• 1600 NE 78th St. Vancouver
• 1200 SE 162nd Ave. Vancouver
Goodwill outlet
• 9025 NE 117th Ave. Vancouver
Habitat for Humanity Store
• 10811 SE 2nd St. Vancouver
