You’re reading Jersey Girl Thrift’s bi-weekly newsletter! A quick and fun read, full of second-hand trends, style tips, local sales, store reviews, great reads, and a recipe or two. It’s everything you need to live a thrifty and luscious life.

Jersey Girl Back From Boston!

Hey girliessssss. Just got back from Boston, where I wore nearly all thrifted outfits the entire weekend. My jacket? $3 from an estate sale (thank you, dry cleaners). It turned out to be the warmest. Long, heavy, perfect for blocking wind. I felt like I was in a movie. Here’s my little thrift look-book.

The only thing I didn’t love while traveling? My estate-sale duffle bag. Cute, but way too small to pack for a winter trip with sweaters and boots. I ended up juggling a few smaller duffel bags. So now I’m on the hunt for a big vintage weekender that can hold it all. (Send recs if you’ve seen one on your rounds!)

JGT’s Headquarters is on the move

It’s official: we’re looking for a new home base for Jersey Girl Thrift! That’s right. We’re exiting the Dungen Closet.

The VISION? Something ground-level, easy to load in and out of, and big enough for at least twelve racks of clothes. The Dungen Closet got us through our first full year of Jersey Girl Thrift. But we’re ready for more.

We want to host more swaps, expand our reach in Jersey, and bring back our free pick-up program. That means a spacious HQ that makes operations easy.

SOOOOO, if you or someone you know has a garage, an unused storage room, or a random space in your building, we’d love to chat. We’re open to an exchange or a rental (or hey, if you just happen to love us and want to support local girlies, we won’t stop you 🫶).

The dream is to find something we can grow into. So if you know anyone with space in Montclair, Clifton, Bloomfield, Nutley, or Verona… send them our way!

Thrift Store Review: Salvation Army, Passaic

📍 417 Broadway, Passaic, NJ 07055

This one’s for my dig-for-gold girlies.

If you love American Thrift or Unique, you need to check out the Salvation Army Donation Center in Passaic. It’s a big, stand-alone spot with the perfect mix of clothes and home goods— probably 50/50.

My partner and I go all the time and never leave empty-handed. We’ve found art, kitchen stuff, clothes, and even his antique couch there (yes, a whole couch). It’s that kind of place where you have to do a little digging, but when you find something… it’s magic.

Prices are fair. Some clothes hover around $8–15. Last time I went, I found a true vintage Christmas sweater for $5.99. Old-school knit, little bears, perfect for December festivities.

My favorite gluten-free treat in Montclair

As a gluten-free girlie, I’m constantly searching for desserts that don’t taste like an afterthought. Enter: Sweet Kitchen in Montclair. Yes, you’ve probably passed it. Yes, you may have even stopped in for a drinky drink. But did you know they rock GF baked goods?!

Their Butter Mochi Bite blew. my. mind. It’s chewy, dense, buttery, lightly coconutty, and not too sweet. Literally the perfect spongy texture. It’s like if pound cake and a shortbread cookie had a perfect little baby. I also tried their Nutella cookie and their Coffee cookie, too. Both amazing.

The GF brownie, though? Meh. Would skip that one next time.

Such a win for us gluten-free queens who just want something soft and satisfying with our coffee.

Good News in the JGT Community

We love celebrating the women in the JGT community doing big things. A few to celebrate this month:

✨ Michelle’s grand opening of Rec Room!
It’s a brand-new coworking and community space inside Lackawanna, and it’s so good. Michelle’s been building this beauty for months. The best thing about it? It’s not your house (no distracting kiddos or dirty dishes). It’s not an office (no fluorescent lighting and sad decor). Just good vibes, fast WiFi, great coffee, and lots of corners to dig in. Go check it out and tell her the JGT crew sent you. And MAYBE keep your eyes open for some free day passes at our next swap!

Follow: @recroomnj

🌱 Shoutout to Georgia, for NJ Vegan Fest this weekend!
If you’ve ever been to Montclair Flea or any event at the space, you’ve seen her work. Georgia is part of the powerhouse events team at Lackawanna Station. The heartbeat of so many amazing local gatherings, she’s the one bringing vendors, creators, and community together in that beautiful, buzzing space. We’ve loved getting to know her through the swaps, and we’re constantly inspired by the scale and energy she brings to everything she touches.

Follow: @lackawannastation

💆🏽‍♀️ Kendra is our go-to for relaxation and recovery.
Before our fall swap, I was apartment hunting, running two businesses, and rescuing three adorable outdoor kittens from the impending winter. I was in full burnout mode. So I booked a massage with her, and honestly, it changed everything. Her space is in a gorgeous old Montclair Victorian, full of warm light and calm energy. She’s a movement specialist with years of experience in corrective exercise, so she connects what’s tight or painful to what’s really going on. I left feeling lighter, looser, and way more relaxed. Plus, she sent me home with stretches that still help. It’s the perfect mix of science and soul.

Follow: @kendra_fitzgerald

We’re constantly in awe of this community. Whether it’s building businesses, creating spaces, or bringing people together, you all inspire the hell out of us!

Wanna volunteer for JGT?

As we grow, we’d love to add a few more volunteers to our incredible event team!!

Our next clothing swap is coming up this February during Montclair Flea at Lackawanna Station. And it’s our first-ever two-day swap! We’ll be doing our usual two sessions on Saturday 2/28, and one Sunday morning session on 3/1!

Here’s what you can do:
Front of House (Larell's team): checking people in, collecting bags, explaining how it all works, networking
Back of House (Kelli's team): re-racking, tidying the racks, collecting hangers, helping swappers

Volunteer perks:
✨ Free entry to the swap (of course!)
✨ You can set aside any clothes you love, both before and after the swap
✨ THE BEST VIBES + Lunch on us during the break!

It’s going to be a busy, fun, girl-powered weekend, and we’d love to have you on the crew. If you’re down to help, fill out the form below.

Well that’s all for now. Stay thrifty, my friends.
xo,
Lala

P.S. Did you know Tino’s Pizza is running a BOGO pizza deal every Sunday until the Super Bowl? 🍕

We love them because the ingredients are clean, the gluten-free crust is actually good, and the vegan options slap. Use promo code TINOSFOOTBALL for the deal.