Erin O’Connor began shopping at the YWCA’s Secret Seconds stores 30 years ago to clothe herself and her four young sons. She was a single mom going to nursing school back then, and she only had $424 a month to provide for her family.

Now, after a successful career spanning 35 years as a registered nurse, O’Connor says the majority of her wardrobe is still made up of clothing from Secret Seconds and other thrift stores. Last week, O’Connor modeled some of her favorite finds as part of the stores’ “Recessionista” marketing campaign, which aims to show Missoulians that they can hang onto their fashionista sensibility despite the economic recession.

“Shopping at Secret Seconds fits with my values now,” O’Connor explained. “I like the idea of recycling to conserve our resources and living within one’s means.”

O’Connor is one of many Secret Seconds shoppers eager for the Broadway location’s 75% off sale, which runs Wednesday, April 28, through Saturday, May 1. The sale will be followed by a store closure Sunday, May 2, through Tuesday, May 4. Volunteers are needed to clean the building, paint, build new dressing rooms, and reorganize the merchandise layout to be more customer-friendly. (To sign up, call Katie at 543.6691.)
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