Secondhand shopping grows in Duluth as consignment store plans expansion

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - As many Northlanders celebrate Earth Day, many consumers are looking for ways to make everyday choices that reduce waste.

About 85% of textiles discarded in the United States are either landfilled or burned, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Some secondhand shoppers say buying resale is one way to help reduce that waste, and it’s gaining popularity nationwide.

The secondhand market increased from $28 billion to $49 billion between 2019 and 2024, according to online resale company thredUP.

The growth is also being felt locally.

At Dannie Duluth Consignment, located on Fourth Street in Duluth, owner Natalie Anderson said the number of customers has increased over the past year as more shoppers look for pre-owned clothing, shoes and accessories.

“I think the industry is kind of thriving right now,” Anderson said. “We’re resetting what normal looks like for the items being sold and for the number of checkouts we see daily. We’re seeing a nice uptick compared to what normal used to look like, and we’re kind of rewriting it now.”

The shop also relies on community members who bring items in to sell.

Anderson said about 11,000 locals consign items there, an approach she said supports sustainability while also supporting sellers in the community.

“I think for Duluth and kind of northern Minnesota, I think sustainability is a really important and kind of front of mind topic for a lot of people,” Anderson said. “I think the idea of reuse and selling things for folks and then kind of what we are as a community.”

She added interest in secondhand shopping spans generations, with customers ranging from retirement age to high school students.

Anderson said growth has been strong enough that the business is preparing to expand. A second location is planned for the Enger Lofts in Lincoln Park with a goal of opening around early June.

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