Fresh Out Of College, Man Founds Growing Thrift Shop Chain
TURLOCK (CBS13) – Instead of donating items, Esteban Miranda buys things he thinks will sell.
"We are here to hopefully change what people think about a thrift shop," Miranda said. "A lot of people have gently used items they don't know what to do with them. They don't want to just give them away."
He gives the customer a little bit of money for their items and then sells them at his store front.
"Furniture, video games, toys, household items – little bit of everything," Miranda said.
Business has been doing well. He just opened a second store in Turlock and the community has been checking it out.
"They're surprised. We get a lot of people coming in because it's different," Miranda said.
This DJ Hero game for the Nintendo Wii would cost Alberto Godinez more than $50 online, but only costs $18 at Miranda's thrift shop.
But, Godinez says price isn't the only reason he shops here.
"But in this condition, it's almost like new," Godinez said.
Esteban says his entrepreneurial background helped him come up with the idea. Customers are surprised to learn he owns the store and just graduated college.
"They think it's someone older. But no, it's me," Miranda said.
During finals week, Miranda opened his first thrift shop.
"There was no partying. It was a lot of sacrifice. But I knew what I wanted and I knew I wanted to help my parents out," Miranda said.
That sacrifice is now paying off as others look to him as a role model.
"It's an inspiration for the youth. If he could do it, I can do it as well," Godinez said.
Miranda's Thrift Shop is open in Merced and Turlock with plans to expand to Fresno.