Introducing Elon U Thrift
With Elon U Thrift, an online thrift pop-up on Instagram, thrifting and shopping sustainably is convenient for Elon students.
Founders of Elon U Thrift, Grace Granger (left) and Jakob Reuter (right).
Elon U Thrift is a joint collaboration between Grace Granger and Jakob Reuter that began as a group project in an entrepreneurship class last fall. Granger, a junior, is a theater design and technology major. Reuter, a sophomore, is an entrepreneurship major with minors in computer science and data science.
As part of this semester-long project, the pair began searching for a way to reduce campus waste. When they decided to focus on thrifting for their project, they originally wanted to have a stand at the downtown Elon Farmer’s Market, but later shifted to an online shop as a more accessible option for all students.
“We didn't know quite how we'd reach people and what things we would take… and if we would do like any upscaling at all or if it would be…consignment,” says Granger.
After the class, Granger and Reuter discussed their plans further over J-Term and launched Elon U Thrift as a business at the start of this semester.
Elon U Thrift focuses on convenience and eliminating any issues students may face in regards to disposing or donating clothing items.
Students can DM Elon U Thrift to outline what items they have to give and Granger or Reuter will pick them up and post on the items on their Instagram page.
“Whatever time that they're available and we pick it up for them so that it's completely convenient,” explains Granger.
Once an item has been posted on the Elon U Thrift Instagram account, it’s up for grabs. Purchased items can either be hand delivered or mailed to campus boxes. Once an item has sold, the original owner gets cash back and the post is archived.
“That is a lot of incentive for them and we are reducing waste,” says Granger, emphasizing how the business is beneficial to the overall community.
In their green tips to living sustainably, Elon’s Office of Sustainability encourages students to “purchase gently used items rather than brand new ones” and dispose of items responsibly by donating unwanted clothing. Elon U Thrift provides the opportunity for students to engage in conscious purchasing this way, while also reducing transportation emissions associated with shipping items or traveling to local shops.
The pair is currently working on increasing their Instagram following, but have made over 17 sales and have 92 items in inventory.
“I think for just starting out, that is great and I expect that it will continue,” says Granger.
Though Granger and Reuter are currently running Elon U Thrift out of their dorm rooms, they have big plans for the future. They recently applied to the Elon University Acorn Fund, a fund designed by SGA tailored to financially support students with “original, innovative, and feasible projects and initiatives,” and are working with Marketplace Under the Oaks to promote their business.
“We have talked about wanting it to continue past our years at Elon… so that it can continue to grow and maybe it will have a location on campus, rather than just an online store,” says Granger.
If students are interested in donating items to Elon U Thrift, they can reach out over Instagram at @elonuthrift.