The Thrift Gene
- claccdig
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
How Scavenger Shopping Became a Community Superpower
By Wendy Larson Schoggins
If bargain-hunting were a sport, my family would win the Super Bowl. I grew up watching my dad, Earl, work absolute magic with thrift, turning “someone’s old stuff” into “exactly what we needed” — and that gift rubbed off on all of us. Some families bond over fishing or card games… we bond over Marketplace finds, auction steals, thrift-store treasures, and the thrill of the garage-sale hunt. Just call us Team Larson!
What many people don’t know is that Dad didn’t start out as a confident deal-maker. In fact, he was downright shy about bargaining. My mom, Pat, loves to tell the story of when they went to “the cities” to shop for his wedding suit.
Before the trip, her mother—my Grandma Evelyn Madden—gave Pat a crash course in the fine art of bartering for new clothes, a sport that has sadly gone extinct in most modern stores. Evelyn was a natural. The shop owners knew her, adored her, and were always more than willing to negotiate with her charming, quick-smiling self.
So there they were, young Pat and Earl, standing in a proper retail store as she confidently offered a lower price on a brand-new suit. Dad was horrified. This wasn’t a rummage sale or a swap meet—this was a real store! But to his amazement… it worked.
And that was the moment everything changed.The shy young man who once froze at the idea of asking for a better deal learned that a little confidence—and a little charm—could stretch a dollar farther than he ever expected.
The rest, as they say, is thrift-loving history.
And luckily for the Clear Lake Area Community Center, Team Larson’s family talent has turned into a full-blown superpower.
Over the past few years, with the help of my siblings, extended family, and even a growing network of community members, we’ve managed to track down incredible deals and donations that have directly improved the Center. Sometimes a family member spots a gem, messages me, and even picks it up before I can blink. Other times, a stranger from an hour—or three hours—away reaches out and says, “Hey, I’ve got something your community center might be able to use.”
The generosity we’ve encountered—from Clear Lake locals to folks far beyond our little corner of Wisconsin—never ceases to amaze. People love this place. People want to help.
Recent Treasure: A Brand-New Drinking Fountain
Our latest acquisition? A brand-new drinking fountain. I saw it on Marketplace and planned an outing with mom and my sister, Laurie, to pick it up from a very nice couple in the city. Normally these sell starting at $1300, but I paid only $50! Recently, it was installed by volunteer Mark Rundquist (thank you, Mark!). You’ll find it by the bathrooms near the main entrance.
The old fountain was removed years ago to make room for a water heater needed by the daycare that once occupied the building. Back then, the Center didn’t even have hot water, and the daycare needed it to stay compliant. We've gone without a fountain ever since—until now.
Fresh on the heels of our wonderful new fountain, I found THREE more on Marketplace for $20 each. Removed from a school in Minneapolis, these weren’t new but they work well and were even cheaper. Being the eternal barter-ist, I couldn’t resist offering $50 for all three. The seller responded: “I would love to donate them to your community center for free!”
Our Twin Cities Branch Office (Population: my sister and brother-in-law, Joe) picked them up and they’re headed to Clear Lake to be installed for our community to enjoy.
What Else Have We Scavenged?
Honestly… what haven’t we found?
Tile, flooring, tools, and construction materials
Paint! My sister can get free paint from their local county environmental center, and it’s already saved CLACC thousands!
Storage cabinets and heavy-duty shelving
Benches and seating for indoors and out
Large appliances (refrigerator, convection oven), small appliances, drinking fountains, and everything in between
Entire houses’ worth of gently-used furniture to class up the dining room and provide much-needed seating for the scads of people that visit the 3rd floor every day!
And so many unexpected treasures that found exactly the right purpose here
Every item, every donation, every lucky find helps us stretch our volunteer-run budget and keep improving this beloved building for everyone who walks through the doors.
Speaking of Thrifting
Have you stopped by the Old School Thrift Shop lately? Tucked into the former high school’s Ag Shop, this hidden gem is packed with treasures—furniture and décor, housewares, appliances, electronics, clothing for all ages, and so much more. And the prices? Truly unbeatable. Our volunteer team has a sharp eye for great finds, and it shows—the shop is always clean, well sorted, and filled with fabulous, one-of-a-kind bargains waiting to be discovered.
Thinking About Donating?
’Tis the season! As we wrap up the year, it’s a perfect time to think about both giving back and gathering those tax-deductible donation receipts.
Please note: regular thrift-store donations will be closed for the holidays from December 22 through January 5.
However, if you have larger items or things the Community Center could truly use (rather than smaller, thrift-store resale items), just send us an email—we’re always happy to see if it’s a good fit.claccorg@gmail.com
Wish List
So, what are we looking for right now? As the chairperson of the decorating committee they invented just to keep me busy and happy, I’m always on the hunt for ways to make our shared spaces more inviting. My current focus is the small event center, which I’m giving an industrial-modern makeover that pays homage to its high school industrial arts and tech ed roots. Along with some subtle decor updates, I’d love to replace the bar and three high-top bar tables. I also have a set of fun metal bar stools that could use a little TLC—so if anyone wants an easy and satisfying rehab project, let me know!
The dining room furniture, generously donated a few years ago, gets a lot of love (and use), so we’re also on the lookout for dark red or brown leather sofas or living room chairs in good condition. These would help us gradually phase out pieces as they wear down while keeping the space comfortable and welcoming.
Together, we can keep turning thrifty finds into community gold—and honestly, the feel-good energy we create along the way is worth far more than gold.
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