For being a witchy niche shop that’s centered mostly on otherworldly items, Thrift Witch, in Lansing’s Old Town, has grown into quite a popular retail fixture since its opening in 2018.
The spooky — yet fun — local retailer was labeled as the best consignment shop in Greater Lansing by the voters in this year’s Top of the Town Contest. The store also came in second place for the city’s best antique shop, best secondhand shop and best thrift store.
Walking into the shadowy shop, which is also the home of the locally sourced Dark Art Market, Thrift Witch patrons can browse vintage goods, new clothing, pop-culture collectibles, art and crafts, and “anything generally creepy,” according to its owner, Tiesha King.
“I have heard Thrift Witch described as Halloween in a time machine,” King said. “It’s really a witch’s cauldron of oddities.”
Thrift Witch is temporarily closed as it prepares to move from REOTown to 108 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. Its Dark Art Market is right next door. The grand opening is set to run from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 20).
“This is our third space,” King said. “It’s just as beautiful as our old space. We are most excited that the Dark Art Market is on street level, too”.
Thrift Witch was inspired by The Dark Art of Michigan, an art show series at The Avenue Café. After these popular events successfully spotlighted area artists, supporters urged King to open up a brick-and-mortar location — the dream job for someone like King who shoots photos of tombstones across the state on a fairly regular basis.
“Every item is special in its own way, but I would say most of our items have that witchy, goth, punk and pop-culture theme to them,” she explained. “So that’s a pretty wide range of fun.”
Beyond that, King had a lifetime to prepare for this gig. Growing up in Fort Wayne, she was raised on classic television shows like “The Munsters,” “The Addams Family,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “Bewitched” — just to name just a few.
“That set me up to fall for bands like The Misfits and Siouxsie and the Banshees,” she recalled.
Like many others looking to host ticketed gatherings, King said she is proceeding with caution.
“We are slowly planning our yearly events at The Avenue, but at much smaller capacities,” she said. “I’m hoping to find a space for an outdoor Dark Art Festival. My eyes are set on Old Town.”
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