Some businesses across Chicagoland are taking a hit in the recession, but others are getting an unexpected boost.

Many thrift and resale shop managers in the northern suburbs say they’ve been noticing an increased need for their services.

“Our donations are down 15 to 20 percent,” said Gwen Kessler, senior director of resale operations for WINGS in Palatine. WINGS benefits women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

“People are inquiring so much more about consignment because they need the money.”

Kessler also mentioned that some people forgo shopping at local thrift shops in favor of cheaper, larger outlets, such as Salvation Army or Goodwill.

“We’re really trying to push the local stores that are not consignment,” Kessler said. “The need for our services are up, but we’re having a hard time maintaining our fundraising.”

Other thrift stores are seeing an increase in sales.

“We have experienced at least a 25 percent increase in our sales in the last year,” said Barbara Thewis, manager of the resale shop at Glenview Community Church. “We are seeing more customers, and the regular customers are shopping even more.”

The Hadassah House resale shop in Skokie has experienced a similar uptick.

“We’re starting to see people who say they’ve never been in a resale shop before,” said Judy Boom, assistant manager at the shop. “It’s now not just people who are out of a job—it’s across the board. People have to cut corners where they can, and if they can get something for $20 that’s $120 in the stores, they’re going to do it.”

Thewis said that it’s not only people’s financial situations but also a shift in attitude that is responsible for the sales increase.

“It’s now politically correct to shop at a thrift store,” Thewis said. “Besides saving some money, you are saving the environment from producing more clothing. Some [people] have phobias about shopping resale, but the fact that they are saving the world takes that fear out of the experience.”

Consignment shops are also noticing an increase in new consigners.

“We’ve had 40 new consigners since Aug. 26,” said Marilyn Black, co-manager of the Glen Cote Thrift Shop in Glencoe. “And that’s a lot for us. People are more interested in consigning now rather than donating because there’s money in it for them.”

Black said there’s also been between a 15 and 20 percent increase in sales.

While many resale shops are thriving, others haven’t had the same luck. Winnetka Thrift Shop, which benefits Family Service of Winnetka-Northfield, now faces competition from retailers selling new clothes.

“A typical retail store has hard costs they have to meet every month,” said Mike Topper, manager of the shop. “When their business dips, they’re forced to sell their assets, which is their inventory. Some businesses are selling things so cheap that they’re our competition now."

Others feel the pinch in light of residents’ renewed interest in consignment.

“Our donations are down 15 to 20 percent,” said Gwen Kessler, senior director of resale operations for WINGS in Niles, Schaumburg and Palatine. WINGS benefits women and children who are victims of domestic violence. “People are inquiring so much more about consignment because people need the money.”

Kessler said that the economies in Niles, Schaumburg and Palatine seem less well off than the North shore’s. Kessler also mentioned that some people forgo shopping at local thrift shops in favor of cheaper, larger outlets, like Salvation Army or Goodwill.

“We’re really trying to push the local stores that are not consignment,” Kessler said. “The need for our services are up, but we’re having a hard time maintaining our fundraising.”

--by Nona Willis Aronowitz, Triblocal.com reporter