Thrift stores struggle despite re-opening

“I’ve prepared myself to, we just don’t know what's going to happen and if it doesn’t pick up we’re going to have to close,” said Ruben Bonilla.  

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Thrift store are a sort of keepsake of the past and for the owners, the families behind them who rely on donations. 

These last six months have been hard and even with being able to open up again customers just aren’t buying. 

“I’ve prepared myself to, we just don’t know what's going to happen and if it doesn’t pick up we’re going to have to close,” said Ruben Bonilla.  

Bonilla says this business has supported his family for years. 

“Just like everyone being affected by this there’s no money, no sales, and no business."

Just a couple stores down is another thrift store owned by Jose Martinez who has also been struggling throughout this pandemic 

“A lot of businesses are closed so there’s not a lot of foot traffic here, but either way being open is better than being closed I think people are still really scared and it’s normal everyone is trying to take care of themselves but we need to pick up because a lot of businesses here are closed

Bonilla also says border restrictions have impacted sales as well because of his Mexicali clientele. 

“it’s just quite here and there's no way of knowing what will happen all we can do is wait and hope.”