More than a sale

On March 25, 2026, Statemint Knoxville opened its doors to hundreds of shoppers, marking the start of its five-day spring pop-up consignment sale, where fashion, community and sustainability meet in a single space. What began as an easy way for women to clear their closets has evolved into a large-scale community event that uplifts women and girls across Knoxville, while giving clothes a second life.

Over time, the event has reached new heights, becoming a seasonal tradition for members of the community, and inviting people not just to shop but to connect.

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“I believe Statemint has bridged gaps in our community,” said Sherleen Maura, a social media ambassador and member of Statemint’s influencer program. “In every season, Statemint has become a staple. It’s helped me a lot more than you would even realize.”

This sense of belonging is built into the event’s DNA. Statemint is largely run by the very community it serves. Local workers manage everything from sorting inventory to organizing the sales floor, creating an environment centered around participation.

Manager Ansley Hughes said the goal is to support women both economically and socially by providing them with a place to sell their clothes and connect with others simultaneously.

Hughes describes the atmosphere as “fun after work,” where women can connect while contributing to a shared purpose, encouraging workers and shoppers alike to return time after time.

Maura expressed a similar perspective. “We genuinely just keep coming back because we find such great pieces and have a good time doing it,” she said. For her, representing Statemint feels like an extension of her values. “It would be kind of a no-brainer for us to be ambassadors in that way because we genuinely represent the values of this company.”

Statemint’s community focus also shapes the customer experience, adding a personal element to a typically emotionless exchange. Purchasing second-hand items often means taking home pieces that carry the histories of their past owners. In this way, a simple transaction becomes a more meaningful experience: the continuation of someone else’s story.

“Articles of clothing make up such stories,” Hughes said. “They could be out in town and be like, ‘That’s my skirt– you got it at Statemint!’ ”

For shoppers like Maura, that personal connection is central to the appeal.

“Every piece tells a story,” she said. “And it’s unique to exchange those stories with other people.”

She added that thrifting creates lasting memories tied to each item. “I have so many fond memories of exactly where I was when I bought it– what it smelled like, who I was around, what I wore it to,” she said. “I can vividly recall those things in almost everything that I own, because there is a story behind it.”

This connection also influences how shoppers think about clothing altogether. Instead of viewing items as disposable, pieces become something to discover, reimagine, and cherish.

Maura described thrifting as a special experience, distinct from online shopping or traditional retail spaces. “I appreciate the fact that there’s not a piece that I can guarantee finding again because it’s thrifted,” she said. “You develop an idea for a piece, and you cultivate a vision around it. It’s very powerful because it requires you to use your imagination.”

This mindset stands in contrast to the fashion industry’s rapid pace. As mass production encourages overconsumption and swift disposal, shopping second-hand offers a more intentional, sustainable alternative.

“If it were up to me, the production of clothes would stop today,” Maura said. “It really would’ve stopped yesterday.”

Her perspective reflects Statemint’s emphasis on sustainability. By prioritizing resale, the event helps extend the life cycle of clothing, diverting items from landfills and keeping them in circulation. This process encourages slower, more thoughtful shopping habits.

Maura also said thrifting can be a lesson in patience. “If you take the time to really invest and sit there and sift through pieces….if you really take your time with it, like everything in life, you’ll bear some really awesome results,” she said.

This intentionality is mirrored behind the scenes. According to Hughes, approximately 70 to 80% of inventory is sold during the event. Unsold items are typically reclaimed by consignors, transferred to other Statemint locations, or donated to local organizations, including Live-It Ministries in Seymour, TN.

“Everything that’s left, they take it, and we donate it,” Hughes said. “So there’s nothing wasted.”

Even before items reach the sales floor, it’s clear that sustainability is a top priority. Each piece is carefully curated, reinforcing the idea that second-hand items can still be of great quality.

Waste reduction is only one aspect of Statemint’s impact. As the event has grown, so has its role in supporting the broader community.

Since its earliest days, community outreach has been central to Statemint’s business model. The seasonal sale began as a way to provide adults in Knoxville with more consignment options at a time when they were limited. Since its founding in 2014 by Sarah McAffry, the concept has expanded to nearly 30 locations across the Midwest and Southern United States.

This growth has enabled Statemint to invest in local initiatives, particularly its long-term partnership with Girl Talk Inc., a nonprofit focused on empowering young girls through mentorship and education. Each season begins with a charity pre-sale event, where shoppers can purchase early-access tickets priced at $10 and $20. Proceeds go directly to Girl Talk and are matched by Statemint, doubling the event’s impact. According to Girl Talk’s development director, Lauren Cox, the partnership generates about $10,000 annually to support the organization’s programming.

A portion of this funding supports Girl Talk’s one-to-one peer mentoring program, which prioritizes building relationships through weekly check-ins that create a space for trust and guidance.

Cox described the process as an “intentional walk through life,” often grounded in small but meaningful moments. Even everyday activities like getting their nails done or going to lunch provide an opportunity to connect.

“Is there anything I can help you with? Are you trying to figure life out?” she said, describing the kinds of conversations she has with her 13-year-old mentee.

In addition to mentorship, the organization provides sexual risk-avoidance education through a partnership with the Knox County Health Department.

“It’s a seven-session program teaching girls how to care for their body and how to care for themselves,” Cox said. “And hopefully make wise decisions and protective decisions when they’re living life.

“Our number one way that we help reduce teen pregnancy is giving really good education to the girls,” she added.

At Statemint, Girl Talk’s mission is front and center.

“They’re one of the first things you see when you walk in,” Maura said. “I think that in and of itself gets a message across to everyone that enters about the values that Statemint upholds.”

For Maura, watching Statemint grow and broaden its impact has been one of the most rewarding parts of her involvement. Since joining the influencer program in the summer of 2025, she has seen the event grow not just in size, but in reach— particularly among young audiences.

“It has really been taken to new heights because of the collaboration that’s happening across our community,” she said. “I think that drawing in younger voices, younger perspectives…has really enabled us to reach our friends.”

As the Spring sale comes to an end, the event’s impact lingers. What begins as a search for an affordable new outfit becomes a meaningful experience that promotes community participation and encourages individuals to reconsider the value they place on their clothes.

At Statemint, clothing isn’t merely passed from one person to another. It carries stories, weaving individual experiences into a shared narrative shaped by connection, intention, and care.