Woman Shares Devastating Thrift Store Discovery: ‘Cherish Your Loved Ones’

A woman made a “devastating” discovery during a recent trip to a Los Angeles thrift store in search of a bargain.

Jacy White is one of a growing number of Americans who buy secondhand items. As much as 60 percent of U.S. adults made at least one secondhand purchase over the past year, according to a Statista Consumer Insights survey from last August. That represents a significant increase from the 49 percent who said they bought secondhand items when the survey was last conducted, in 2019.

White is a long-time convert to the world of secondhand shopping. “I’ve been thrifting since I was a teenager, as it was the only way to afford all the clothes I wanted working part time at a diner,” she told Newsweek. “Now I thrift regularly in order to find hidden treasures or update my space on a budget.”

White likes to go thrifting every week to see what new donations have come in, whether it’s clothes, shoes or pots and pans. She’s come across her fair share of bargains during that time.

“The very first week I moved to Los Angeles, I went thrifting and found this wooden decor sign with all the neighborhoods of L.A. carved into it. For $3 too,” she said. “It’s become one of my favorite thrift finds because it felt like a map given to me by the universe of my new home.”

However, one recent discovery stopped White in her tracks for different reasons. “I saw this collection of elephants and my heart broke,” she said. White shared a short clip of the collection on TikTok, explaining that seeing the beautiful collection of elephants gave her an “awful feeling.”

“I immediately understood that someone had passed away and their beloved elephant collection was donated to the thrift store,” she said.

The discovery brought memories flooding back for White. “It reminded me of my great-aunt who had an extensive frog collection that ranged from birthday gifts to travel souvenirs. She loved those frogs and all the stories attached to them from over the years,” White said.

“She passed away recently, and now all those figurines were probably on their own way to Goodwill. Seeing the elephants reminded me of her and the real people behind all these items. There were memories in those tiny elephants for someone, and it is devastating to realize they can’t enjoy their own collection anymore.”

White’s sentiment was shared by many of those who saw her video of the elephants. “My grandma collected elephant figurines,” one viewer wrote in the comments section.

“At my grandma’s funeral we put out her angel collection and everyone could take one home to remember her by,” another said.

A third added: “I saw a massive box of fridge magnets at my local charity shop, and it made me sad as I collect those too, and one day they’ll just be clutter.”

So far, White’s video has been viewed 5 million times. She attributes the clip’s popularity to the fact that many of those watching “saw their own loved ones in those elephants.”

“Thousands of comments mentioned how their grandma collected figurines or that they hoped whoever owned the elephants lived a good life,” White said. “I think it was a reminder for everyone to cherish our loved ones while they’re here, because those memories will last longer than the possessions that get donated after we’re gone.”

Despite the sadness, White was able to put a positive spin on the discovery.

“I hope someone new can find joy in those figurines and give them new memories,” she said. “As a thrifter, I’m always looking to bring new life into used items, but then I’m reminded how much life these items once had.”