In Urbana, Illinois, a new shop called See Use Again is giving old paintbrushes, craft tools, and other creative leftovers a second life instead of letting them end up in the trash.
At See Use Again, the concept is reuse: what no longer works for one person may still be useful to someone else nearby, according to WAND.
Here's what to know
See Use Again, founded by Meg McDonald, is a for-profit resale business focused on secondhand creative materials.
According to WAND, McDonald started the operation in her garage before moving into a storefront, creating more room to keep usable art supplies in circulation within the community.
"I think this place deserves to exist," McDonald explained. "It's not a nonprofit; it's a small business. But we have values that would be more at home in a nonprofit."
McDonald also emphasized the service aspect is a key part of the model.
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"We might like having things nice and orderly, but sometimes emotionally and mentally it's hard to go through our own things," she added.
"I really like being of service in that way."
More background
Art and craft supplies can be expensive to replace, especially for families, students, teachers, and casual makers who may not need brand-new materials.
Reuse shops also help support a more circular local economy.
When donated goods are resold locally rather than thrown away, communities can keep usable products in circulation longer and reduce the number of perfectly functional items discarded.
City leaders were also part of the launch.
According to WAND, Urbana supported the opening, and Mayor DeShawn Williams attended the grand opening, something McDonald said meant a great deal to her.
"For them to make time — not just for the big businesses — but for the little guys like me, I thought that was really important, and I truly appreciated it."
What's being done?
Williams described that support as part of the city's broader work to invest in the community.
"They want opportunities for families, businesses and future generations," Williams remarked. "That is the work we have been focused on over the past year together."
The shop gives people with extra supplies a place to take them and offers shoppers a lower-cost alternative to buying new.
See Use Again operates in Urbana on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, WAND noted.
McDonald hopes the shop can offer something even bigger than secondhand inventory: connection.
"I want people to have a place where they can access affordable art products and have a third space," McDonald told the outlet.
"A place that's not their home; a place that's not their work, just somewhere they can come and hang out."
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