Holden thrift shop expands with 2nd location in Dover-Foxcroft

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A Maine thrift shop that opened in late 2020 has expanded with a second location in Dover-Foxcroft. 

Win-Win Thrift Store, which launched in Brewer and moved to Holden in June 2022 for more space, opened a second store at 8 Moosehead Lane in Dover-Foxcroft in December, owner Jen Nason said. The shop is located inside one of the historic Mayo woolen mill buildings, a mixed-use complex with apartments, office space, an inn and a cafe overlooking the Piscataquis River.

Win-Win’s expansion brings another thrift shop to the town, which has a few along East Main Street, but they’re not open more than four days a week. It also gives Piscataquis County residents a place to donate items they no longer want. 

The business got its name because when people donate their used items, a small portion of the sale supports a local nonprofit. It’s a “win-win” for everyone, Nason said.

“There are certain things you have to buy new, but if you shop at a local thrift store, you are supporting a local family and the local economy,” she said. “It keeps things out of the landfill. It doesn’t generate more fast fashion. And you get really unique items.”

The shop accepts and sells books, clothing, furniture, shoes, sports equipment and other items.

A small percentage of every sale goes to a nonprofit. With tagged items in the shop, the person who donated selects which nonprofit gets a portion of the sale. With untagged items, the shopper decides which nonprofit to support.

Since the business opened in December 2020, it has donated $20,796 to nonprofits, or 3 percent of total sales, she said. Over time and as her business grows, Nason intends to increase the portion of sales supporting nonprofits.

The list of organizations includes Center Theatre, Partners for Peace, Pine Tree Hospice, Maine Community Foundation and the Thompson Free Library, and will continue to grow, Nason said. When she eventually brings a check to the organizations, they have a chance to learn more about Win-Win and encourage people to check out the shop.

Win-Win in Dover-Foxcroft has raised but not yet donated $274 for nonprofits since it opened in mid-December, she said.

Nason also chose to expand in Dover-Foxcroft because of her connection to the area. Although she grew up and lives in Brewer, her husband, Scott, is from Sebec. They have a camp in Bowerbank where they enjoy spending time with their two children.

Piscataquis County doesn’t have a Target, Walmart, or other big-box stores like Bangor, but people come to the area for its antique and thrift shops, Nason said. She thinks her business, which “feels like Goodwill but local,” brings more variety to the area.

“There are days that our Dover store does better than our Holden store, and we’re only two and a half months old,” she said. “Word of mouth in a small town is huge.”

Whether people come to satisfy the thrill they get from scoring a unique item or they shop because used items are what they can afford, Nason hopes patrons leave happy. 

“I want people to feel good about their purchases and what they’re doing for their community and environment,” she said.

Win-Win Thrift Store in Dover-Foxcroft is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.