Wabi-Sabi Thrift Store in Utah Offers Moab Bargains and Helps Children and the Navajo Nation

Wabi-Sabi is an amazing thriftstore that goes way beyond the normal concept of t thrift store. This is not just a place to drop off old stuff or pick up the occasional bargain; it’s a whole world of help

With programs that truly reach out into the community, you can really feel good about walking into Thriftique or The Warehouse, instead of just hoping to pick up the occasional “steal” or find that really funky shirt. WabiSabi is a based nonprofit organization that exists to support the health and wealth of the Native community, Hispanic community, low-income people, individuals, and our nonprofit partners.

But you will indeed fine the “steal.” How about an Orvis fishing vest with brass fittings and 17 pockets! The kind my husband has been searching for forever. It was clean, not stained, not smelly, not ripped- but it was used, which added to it’s perfection-no one wants a spanking brand new fishing vest that might make him look like- gasp – a novice fisherman. And the price? $4. This vest is over $100 new. We found this at Thriftique, their little bitty store right off

Main Street on 400 East. Oh, and when they rang us up, they took a few dollars off the total!

Beyond the vest, the men’s department had some of the coolest t-shirts, long and short sleeved, that you could wish for while digging. Lots from the 70’s, and lots of very unique sports related shirts, particularly, of course, biking and hiking (hey, it is in Moab), but from everywhere- like fat and skinny tire guys just come by and donate their shirts.

At Halloween, there was a fun selection of the bizarre; clothes with feathers, sparkles, uniform jackets, handmade oddities, and tons of accessories and hats.

In the women’s department, the stuff wasn’t as cool, but for that it may have just been the day. Otherwise, head to The Warehouse, Wabi-Sabi’s huge thrift store, 145 West 200 South, on the other side of

Main Street. With a much larger assortment, and more regular clothes for the economy minded. Besides clothes, this larger store sells housewares, jewelry, electronics, books, furniture and lots of great stuff that needs a new home.

Every day, Wab-Sabi gets an average pick-up truck load of donations. The donations are sorted, and go to one of the thriftstores, distribution points in the Navajo Nation, the Community School, Youth Garden Project, or children’s after school art classes.

If you need more than clothing, Wabi-Sabi also has a Building materials that are either donated or recycled. These are at the Warehouse location only.

The name “WabiSabi” comes from the combined Japanese ideas of austere refinement and quiet simplicity. It is the WabiSabi belief that beauty lies in the imperfection that surrounds us, that new is not necessarily nicer, and that our discards could very well be our salvation.

Wabi – austere refinement – A frame of mind in which spiritual richness can be found in the simple and tranquil. This mentality forms an important basis of the traditional tea ceremony. Sabi – quiet simplicity – A poetic ideal fostered by Basho in haiku in which profound meaning can be found in the detached and the dispassionate. Evocations of sabi in paintings are found in scenes of desolation.

Besides all the great stuff you can buy at the Wabi-Sabi locations, they do a lot of great stuff, so check out their website. If you are anywhere near Utah don’t miss this place!

WabiSabi Distributed $13,000 to other nonprofits in 2005 . . .

WabiSabi Donated $1,722.50 in merchandise to our nonprofit partners and local organizations

Truck loads of materials donated to other organizations

• 9 trailer loads of goods to The Navajo Nation
• 1 flat bed truck load to Camp Williams for Katrina evacuees
• 3 trailers to other non-profits in Grand Junction

The Thriftique Store : 259.9114
Collectables, clothing, accessories, and books

Monday through Saturday
10 AM to 6 PM
350 South 400 East
(Where the road comes to a T – Across from Milts)

The Warehouse Store : 259.3313
Furniture, children’s clothing, toys, clothing, work clothes, electronics, and $.25 books. New building materials section too! Open Monday through Saturday
10 AM to 6 PM
145 West 200 South, #6
(From Main, turn west on 200 South, then turn left just past the Moab City Offices. It’s the last building on the right side)